VISITGalleries & Museums

TRAVEL the Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway

EXPLORE the Gila Forest & Wilderness

DESTINATIONS FOR: Hiking, Bird Watching, Mountain & Road Biking and Motorcycling

GRANT COUNTY AREA TOUR MAP

2 – SCENIC TOURS

Rodger Koest Associate Broker, REALTOR®, Property Manager

575-313-3208Rodger@RodgerKoest.com

www.MoveToSilverCity.com

Georgia Bearup Qualifying Broker/Owner

575-388-8556GeorgiaBearup17@msn.comwww.MimbresRealty.com

Pat Bearup Qualified Broker, REALTOR®

575-534-5030Pat.Bearup@hotmail.com

www.MimbresRealty.com

Lucy Tully Associate Broker, REALTOR®

575-654-5546LucyTully.Realtor@gmail.com

www.MimbresRealty.com

Cissy McAndrew EcoBroker® & GREEN Realtor®

575-538-1337CissyMcAndrew@gmail.comwww.SilverCityTour.com

Open Weekends! Monday-Friday 9 to 5 • Saturday-Sunday 10 to 4

No One Knows The Country Like We Do! ®

PropertyManagement575-313-3208

SilverCityRentals.com

575-538-3789 • 800-827-9198 • www.MimbresRealty.comOffice in Historic Downtown Silver City • 414 N. Bullard St., Silver City, NM 88061

SCENIC TOURS – 3

CONTENTSWELCOME, WILLKOMMEN, ¡BIENVENIDOS!

OUR COVERCity of Rocks State Park is aunique product of MotherNature with pathways mean-dering through massive boul-ders. Grant County andSouthwest New Mexico providea rich experience chock-full ofintriguing geology, life zonevariations, history, art, events,great shopping and memo-rable dining. See Tour 6, Site 6.Photo by Joe Burgess

= Birding Site

SCENIC TOURS is devoted to the Silver City area and its multi-culturalcommunities with Four Gentle Seasons and warm hospitality. You will see wonders of the area, ancient cultures, and climate zones ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 feet. Browse through these pages and

be prepared to have your expectations exceeded!

HISTORIC SILVER CITY AREAScenic ToursGATEWAY TO 3.3 MILLION ACRES OF SOLITUDE

Scenic Tours4 Historic Silver CityScenic Tour Silver City and its history beginning inthe mining boom erawill come to life.

10 Pinos Altos Scenic TourWalk through the1860s in this historicmining town.

12 Trail of theMountain SpiritsScenic TourFollow the footsteps of the Mogollón peoplewho walked the area inthe early 1300s.

18 Mining Scenic TourHistoric head framesand modern open pitoperations.

20 Gila High CountryScenic Tour Bill Evans Lake, theGila Riparian Preserve,Glenwood, Cooney’sTomb and more.

23 City of Rocks andSouth of Silver CityScenic Tour Beautiful carvedgiants and a visit tomuseums and ghosttowns to the south.

Activities11 Rock Hounding26 Birding 28 Hiking 30 Cycling & Biking

Maps

2 Grant County Area Tours5 Silver City Walking Tour8 Silver City Driving Tour9 Historic Silver City Tour10 Pinos Altos19 Mining26 Birding, Hiking, Biking

right: The Gila River, where anancient culture walked theseriver banks, grew crops—anddisappeared.

The Gila River - Tour 5, Site 9

Photo by LeAnne Knudsen

4 Historic Silver CityEstablished in 1870, its rich history flows throughtoday’s arts and businessdistricts - located at thegateway to the 3.3 millionacre Gila National Forest.

14 Gila Cliff DwellingsNational Monument

As you walk through thedwellings of the ancientMogollón Indians imaginewhat life was like 700years ago.

12Trail of the MountainSpirits NationalScenic Byway

Mimbreño Indians farmedon the river banks, keptdiaries on cliff walls andmade exquisite pottery.

17 Fort Bayard National Historic Site

From Buffalo Soldiers totuberculosis sanatoriumand veteran and geriatriccare—giving service since 1863.

Attractions

Keith LeMay, AuthorResearch and writing except where credited

Terri MengesPresident & Managing Director

Joseph BurgessVice President & Photo Journalist

Arlyn CooleyStaff Accountant

LeAnne KnudsenAdvertising SalesJoseph Burgess

Photography except where notedTerri MengesDebra Sutton

Designers

Bill Allen, Jackie Blurton, Ralph Fisher,Jay Hemphill, Keith LeMay, LeAnne

Knudsen, Museum of New Mexico, BarryNielsen, Becky O’Connor, Debra Sutton

Contributing Photographers

Jackie Blurton, Joseph Burgess, KevinCook, Becky O’Connor, Luis Pérez,Dorothy Watson, Betty Woods

Contributing Writers

Scenic Tours is published by Zia Publishing Corp.,P.O. Box 1248, 116 McKinney Rd. (deliveriesonly), Silver City, NM 88062 Phone: 575-388-4444 x19 Fax: 575-388-4444 info@ziapublish-ing.com www.ziapublishing.com.©Keith LeMay. Reproduction in whole or part with-out permission of the publisher prohibited. For per-mission to use any portion of this publication email:info@ziapublishing.com. All submissions of editori-al or photography are only accepted without risk tothe publisher for loss or damage. Every effort wasmade to ensure accuracy in the information provid-ed. The publisher assumes no responsibility or lia-bility for errors, changes or omissions.

www.silvercity.orgwww.silvercitytourism.org

www.southwestnewmexico.org

In 1870, a group of American prospectors discovered silver inthe hills just above the ciénega (marshy area), and the rush wason. In ten short months, the newly christened Silver City grew

from a single cabin to over eighty buildings.

HIGHLIGHTS

Billy the Kid CabinSite. (Silver City VisitorCenter) Billy spentpart of his childhoodhere in a cabin similarto this. Site 4

St. Vincent de PaulChurch (Market andBayard St.) begun in1874. Mission-stylefront and towers wereadded in 1908. Site 16

Big Ditch Park.(Broadway St.) The“Big Ditch” wasformed during a seriesof floods between1895 and 1906. Site 10

Silver City Museum.(312 W. Broadway)The town’s history is displayed in the 1881H.B. Ailman house.Site 12

La CapillaThe“LittleChapel” replica of the1885 chapel overlookingSilver City that housed astatue of the Virgin ofGuadalupe. Site 14b

Tour 1

HISTORIC SILVER CITYSCENIC TOUR

4 – SCENIC TOURS

WNMU MuseumHouses the largest perm-anent display of Mimbrespottery in the U.S.including the NANRanch Collection. Site 18a

Enjoy Silver City’s Historic District.Begin this tour at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center,201 N. Hudson Street. Park in the Visitor Centerparking lot.

Map page 9

1. Murray Ryan Visitor Center. 210 N.Hudson Street.

2. McComas House Site. (500 N. Hudson)In the early 1880s Judge H.C. McComas (See Site 9)lived where the present post office is located. After thefloods, this area became Silver City’s famous red lightdistrict for 60 years. In the 1930s, the McComasHouse was purchased by Silver City’s most “famous”madam, Millie and then known as “Millie’s.”

3. Billy the Kid Jail Site. (Northeast cornerof Broadway and Hudson, 304 N.Hudson.)The U.S. Forest Service warehouses areon the site of the jail. In 1875 Billy, age 15, washeld for stealing from a Chinese laundry. Heescaped out the chimney. Legend suggests Billykilled his first man or knifed a Chinaman at sever-al sites. No evidence can be found. (See page 24.)

4. Billy the Kid Cabin Site. Silver CityVisitor Center. (201 N. Hudson, NM 90.)Billy spent part of his childhood here, in a cabinsimilar to this, with his mother, brother, and step-father. The cabin was torn down by 1894 and thefloods of 1895-1903 destroyed the original site.This cabin, similar to cabins of that era, was donat-ed by Ron Howard’s 2003 movie The Missing.

5. Star Hotel Site. (Southwest corner ofBroadway and Hudson across the streetfrom Visitors Center.) Billy the Kid waitedtables while he lived here with the Truesdell fami-ly following the death of his mother.

6. Carrasco Mill Site. (Below Broadway,between Bullard and Hudson.) LorenzoCarrasco had one of the first ore-grinding mills.His adobe furnaces produced the first silver bul-lion in the area, handling ore from Silver City,Pinos Altos, and other area mines.Turn right (west) onto Broadway to Site 10.OPTIONAL DRIVING TOUR: Sites 7-9 South on NM90to look at the history of copper mining.

7. Harrison Schmitt School.(Mile Marker 40.5, NM90) Named forApollo 17 astronaut and geologist.Harrison “Jack” Schmidt was born inSanta Rita, NM and grew up in SilverCity. He was the 12th and last man towalk on the Moon in 1972. From 1977-1983 he served as a New MexicoSenator in Washington, DC.8. Old Tyrone/Phelps DodgeCopper Electrowinning Plant.(MM32, NM 90) Phelps Dodge &Co. consolidated its holdings begin-ning in 1909. A “Mediterranean-style” company town was ready in1915. A drop in copper prices caused

it to be abandoned virtually overnight. From1928-41 it became a dude ranch. In the late1960s the operation resumed as an open pit mine.Today, the mine is owned by Freeport-McMoRanand supports a modern electrowinning copperrecovery plant producing plates of .999 copper.

illions of years ago, fingers of molten rock deposit-ed the copper, silver and gold that would make thisone of the Southwest’s richest mineralized areas. Early Indiansmined turquoise, and by 1804 the Spanish were digging for cop-per east of what came to be called the San Vicente Ciénega(today’s Silver City).

Silver Discovered. In the spring of 1870, the news reached Pinos Altos of a bigsilver strike at Shakespeare, near today’s Lordsburg. Captain John Bullard and his men rode south to investigate. After

examining the ore, one of the men said, “Boys, if this is what silverlooks like, we have plenty of it at home.” They hurried back, andbegan to dig one half mile west of the present courthouse. Ore fromthe Legal Tender Mine assayed as high as 100 ounces of silver perton, a real bonanza. News of the “Ciénega Mines” quickly spread.Town of Silver City Originated. In ten short months, SilverCity grew from a single cabin to over eighty buildings, and in 1871,it became the county seat. During the early years of development, allof southwestern New Mexico was harassed by Apache raids. Thenearest railroad terminal was in Colorado. The county included whatis today’s Deming and Lordsburg all the way to the Mexico border.In spite of the crude methods, Silver City mills were produc-

ing $16,000 of bullion a week by 1875. It soon became the sup-ply center for the booming industry. By the end of 1872, a local brick plantenabled solid, well-built businesses and houses to be built. In 1875, the first fireengine in the NM Territory made it possible for a volunteer fire department to beformed. When the government telegraph line reached Fort Bayard in 1876, localcitizens furnished the materials to connect Silver City with the outside world.

M

SCENIC TOURS – 5

HISTORIC SILVER CITY TOUR 1

Bullard Street in Historic Downtown Silver City - Site 14

9. McComas Massacre Site. (Note: Site only,MM19.1, NM90) Here Judge McComas (See Site2) and his wife were killed by a band of Gerómino’sApaches in 1883; their 6-year-old son was kidnappedand taken to Mexico. To the northwest on Jack’sPeak, the Smithsonian Institute operated a solar radi-ation observatory until 1938. Reverse your course. Turn around and travelnorth on NM90, back to Silver City.

10. Big Ditch Park. (Broadway Street)Originally the town’s Main Street, the “BigDitch” was formed during a series of floodsbetween 1895 and 1906. In 1980 it became a citypark. (See The Big Ditch, opposite.)

11.Bell Block. (200 block W. Broadway.)Today the restored Bell Block brightens thedowntown. Built in 1897, expanded in 1906,sheathed in galvanized metal stamped with intri-cate designs resembling carved stone.

12.Silver City Museum. (312 W.Broadway, 538-5921.) Housed in therestored 1881 Mansard/Italianate H. B. AilmanHouse, the Silver City Museum offers uniqueexhibits and programs that tell the stories, and

Silver City Charter. In 1878 Silver City was granted a territorial charter underwhich the town operates today, one of the oldest of the few territorial charters in theU.S. The city was one of the first to establish a public school and in 1882 becamethe first independent school district in New Mexico.

— edited from Helen Lundwall historyThe Big Ditch (Site 10). After July 21, 1895, Silver City’s Main Street was nolonger the principal artery. Floodwaters engulfed the streets as “an immense wall ofrolling water, 12' high and 300’ across, roared through the heart of town.” By thenext morning, the waters had receded and local residents saw a monstrous ditch 35feet below the street level. Later floods, especially one in 1903, scraped the ditchdown to bedrock at 55 feet. The excavation ran about 15 miles. Changes Caused. Before the floods, commerce was about equal on either sideof Main Street. After the creation of the Big Ditch, a number of “entertainmentparlors” moved onto Hudson Street. Why Did It Happen? Ground cover absorbed and delayed earlier floodrunoff. By 1895, livestock growers and wagon freighters had grazed the highermeadows to bare ground, and wood haulers had stripped forested slopes to feedhousehold fires and industrial furnaces. After The Flood. The watershed is again covered with vegetation, thanks toconservation, including countless “check dams” built by the CCC in the 1930s,

6 – SCENIC TOURS

Walking Bridge Over Big Ditch Park - Site 10, O.S. Warren House - Site 15

SCENIC TOURS – 7

Yankie Street in Historic Downtown Silver City.

ecognized as one of the nation’s culturally progressivesmall communities, Silver City broke into the top threeslots of Modern Maturity’s Best Small Towns in America, was listed byJohn Villani as one of The Hundred Best Small Art Towns in Americaand chosen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in its Dozen

Distinctive Destinations. The strong visual and performing arts activities, muse-ums and the renovated historic district have created an end-destination worthy ofAmerica’s culture-hungry travelers.A wide range of galleries and creative specialty shops are located throughout the

university and historic districts and in the mountain village of Pinos Altos. A per-forming arts season that includes international talent is sponsored by the MimbresRegion Arts Council and the Grant County Community Concerts Assn. Specialevents with nationally acclaimed participants include the Silver City Blues Festival,Tour of the Gila, Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo, Chocolate Fantasia, The Silver CityClay Festival, Red Dot Studio & Gallery Walk, Pickamania! and Tamal Fiesta Y Mas.The Silver City Museum, housed in the 1881 Victorian home of H.B. Ailman,

and the Western New Mexico University Museum, with the world’s largest perma-nent display of artifacts from the thousand-year-old Mimbres Culture, are the prideof the community.

R

celebrate the rich and diverse history and culturalheritage of southwestern New Mexico. Thechanging exhibits interpret the events and culturesthat created one of the most intriguing regions inthe Southwest.The museum offers a wide variety of programs and

hands-on learning opportunities for the entire fam-ily, so there is always something new and fun to do.Open every day except Monday, it is located at

312 West Broadway. The Museum Store featuresexcellent southwest books, and the work of manyNew Mexico artists and craftspeople.

13.Grant County Courthouse. (Broadwayand Cooper) The courthouse was erected in1930. In the lobby, two murals by Santa Fe artistTheodore Van Soelen depict the area’s ranchingand mining history. At this point the Tour reverses. Go east back downBroadway and turn right on Bullard Street.

14a.Lower Bullard Street. On the southwestcorner of Bullard and Broadway stands a 1923bank building (designed by southwestern architectHenry Trost) with the original terracotta front andbrick design. Directly across, on the north, is the1882 Meredith & Ailman bank, with its originalcast-iron front. Many of the buildings date back tothe 1880s. The street was named after JohnBullard, a founder of Silver City. One year afterhis discovery of silver in 1870, the 24-year-oldBullard was killed by Apaches (See Site 20).On the hill to the south overlooking Silver City is LaCapilla Chapel. (Site 14b).

14b.La Capilla Chapel. Originally constructedin 1885, the “Little Chapel” overlooking SilverCity was built to house a statue of the Virgin ofGuadalupe. A replica was built in 2004. Trails joinBoston Hill and Big Ditch trail systems.Reverse and go back (north) on Bullard Street.

14c.Upper Bullard Street. At Market Street toyour right is the entrance to Big Ditch Park (SeeSite 10) and on the left is The Warren House(See Site 15).

15.O.S. Warren House. (Market Street)Overlooking the Big Ditch is the 1885 Italianatered brick O.S. Warren house. Once owned by theindefatigable Elizabeth Warren, the first womaninsurance agent in New Mexico, it’s today’s onlysurvivor of the Main Street floods.From Bullard Street, turn left onto Market Street.

Celebrating 114 Years

106 W. Broadway • Silver City, NM 88061

575-388-1811www.silvercitypalacehotel.com

Visit Ol West Gallery & Mercantile next door.

• Affordable Rates • 18 Rooms & Suites• Continental Breakfast • Wi-Fi • Cable TV• Special Meeting & Event Room

Located in the downtown historic dis trict.Reminiscent of a small hotel in the European Tradition.

8 – SCENIC TOURS

Telephones were firstinstalled in 1883. An electriclight plant was completed thefollowing year—only two yearsafter New York City installed its

first electric system.

16.Saint Vincent de Paul Church. (Market and Bayard, 420 W.Market.)This stuccoed adobe was begun in 1874 by the town’s Hispaniccommunity. Its Mission-style front and towers were added in 1908.Directly across from the church, at the SW corner of Market and PinosAltos, is the Queen Anne-style Martin Maher house, built in 1887 oflocally-made red brick. Turn right on Black Street, right on Kelly Street and left onto Bullard Street.

Just before reaching Sixth Street, you will pass on your left two olderhouses: one at 503 Bullard, built in 1887 as a dentist’s office, andanother at 511 Bullard, the Isaac Cohen house built in 1882 and nowrestored. These buildings were once part of a Victorian residential area.Turn left onto Sixth Street.

17.Sixth Street. On Sixth Street you will pass a number of fine 1880sbrick homes. At the northwest corner of Bayard and Sixth Street is theEdmund Stein home, overlooking the site of New Mexico’s first two-story brick public schoolhouse. At Cooper Street, to the right are 1883brick rental houses. At the northwest corner of Sixth and Black is DavidAbraham’s 1883 home. Turn right on Black Street.

The house at 806 Black Street was owned by Mrs. Thomas Lyons, of thefamous “million acre” Lyons & Campbell Ranch; her daughter owned theother houses on this block. (See Tour 5, Site 5.)Continue on Black Street to College Ave.

OPTIONAL DRIVING TOUR: Sites 18-20. Travel north on College Ave. , turnright onto West Street, go one block, turn left on 10th Street to upper park-ing ares for WNMU Museum (Site 18a) Elevator access.

18a.WNMU Museum. (Two-story Fleming Hall, 538-6386, opendaily except University holidays.) The museum has the largest perma-nent display of prehistoric Mimbres pottery in the United Statesincluding the NAN Ranch Collection. These world-famous pots withtheir painted designs date from the 8th to 12th century A.D. CasasGrandes prehistoric Indian pottery, stone tools, ancient jewelry, south-western historical photos and oral history recordings, and military andmining artifacts are on display.

18b.Western New Mexico University. Established in 1893,WNMU offers more than 70 fields of study in areas such as accounting,criminal justice, education, nursing and zoology. The campus is hometo five buildings on the national historic registry, a museum featuringMimbres pottery, a contemporary art gallery and the 1,000 seat FineArts Center Theater. www.wnmu.edu

18c. St. Mary’s Academy. (1800 Alabama Street) The academy openedin 1918 as a “select boarding school for girls.”

19a.Silver City Water Works (est. 1887). (Little Walnut Road)Provided the City’s first water supply, collected from subsurface streams ina tunnel or “collection gallery.” The tunnel drained to a well and waspumped from there into the building, and then boosted to a reservoir. Thepumps were initially steam powered, first using wood and then coal. Anengineer lived with his family in the two-story portion, as he had a 24-7job to keep the pumps running. A stonemason from Michigan construct-ed the building of locally quarried sandstone. The Waterworks was placedon the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984.

19b. Mineral Display. (1805 Little Walnut Rd) Excellent display ofmineral samples at Royal Scepter for the rockhounder, andore samples from nearby mines for those interested in the his-tory and beauty of rock specimens from Southwest sources.Continue east to Memory Lane Cemetery.

20a-c. Billy the Kid’s Mother’s Grave. (M115.7, US180,Memory Lane Cemetery) Catherine McCarty Antrim, Billy’smother, died of tuberculosis on Sept. 16, 1874. She was buriedin town but later was moved to Memory Lane Cemetery (left toCypress Lane, right to 9th tree). Four graves to the north liesJohn Bullard (See Site 14a). (Turn west to Rose Lane and gonorth to first intersection to left.) Ben Lilly, mountain man andlion hunter, is buried 50' to the southwest.From Memory Lane, continue north across US180. At next stopsign turn right onto Pinos Altos Road, NM 15. Or turn right onUS180 and continue 4 miles to Silver City Visitor Center.

20d. Gila Regional Medical Center. (32nd Street) GilaRegional Medical Center is a county-owned, not-for-profit, 68-bed acutecare hospital. Gila Regional has a strong commitment to the people it serves.Investments in technology and certified caregivers provide quality care deliv-ery through a patient-centered approach. It is home to the Cancer Centerand the Surgical Center of the Southwest.

he Southern Pacific Railroad reachedDeming in 1881, inspiring local citizens tobuild a branch line to Silver City. Telephones werefirst installed in 1883. An electric light plant wascompleted the following year—only two years afterNew York City installed its first electric system.

Silver City Boom Over! In 1893 the bottom dropped outof the silver market. Mines closed down. Silver City paused,caught its breath, and then moved ahead. The use of brick was

encouraged by an 1880 fire ordinancewhich prohibited frame construction,saving Silver City from the destructivefires of many western towns. Perhaps itssturdy brick architecture helped it defy aghost town’s fate. Maybe it was the pop-ulace of Hispanics and Anglos, deter-mined to make this their home. The cat-tle industry was well-developed withsome large holdings extending as farsouth as Mexico. At the turn of the cen-tury, Silver City’s high, dry climate madeit a haven for invalids and tubercular

patients. One of the state’s first teaching schools prospered.Eventually, with new mineral discoveries, the town stabilized asthe leading metal producer in the state.

— edited from Helen Lundwall history

T

Photo by Jay Hem

phill courtesy W

NMU

Western New Mexico University - Site 18b

SCENIC TOURS – 9

HISTORIC SILVER CITY TOUR MAP

Regional Minerals,Fossils, and Gems• Rock Hound Books and Gear• Southwest Jewelry• Beading and Jewelry Supplies

• Unique Gift Selection

1805 Little Walnut Road just off US Hwy 180 Westroyalsceptergems@yahoo.com

575.538.9001 • www.royalscepter.comMon. - Fri.

10am to 5pm

10 – SCENIC TOURS

Pinos Altos Scenic Tour (M6, NM15): Theold mining town.Where the road divides, keepto the left. At the first intersection over the bridge, turnleft onto the dirt road, which loops back to the right.

1. Hearst Mine. (M5.1, NM15) The PhoebeHearst (mother of newspaperman WilliamRandolph Hearst) Mine was near the saddle ofthe two peaks to the west from this historicmarker. The Hearsts had interests in ranches,headquartering west of Deming, briefly ownedthe Santa Rita copper mine and company store,as well as a company store in Pinos Altos, and amill, probably south of the Gila RegionalHospital. A winding narrow-gauge railroadtransported ore from Pinos Altos mines to millsin Silver City.

2. Hearst Church. The adobe Methodist-Episcopal church was built with Hearstmoney in 1898 and now houses the GrantCounty Art Guild. A funeral hearse, used forPat Garrett, and other horse-drawn vehiclesare displayed here. Garrett killed Billy the Kidin Lincoln, NM. Continue back to paved road, turn left.

3. Fort Cobre. This 3⁄4-scale reconstruction, com-pleted in 1980, was of a fort built at Santa Rita cop-per mine in 1804 to protect the area. It wasrenamed Ft. Webster in 1851 (See Tour 3, Site 17).The Hearst company store was east across the street.

4. Opera House. The opera house, built in1969, captures the flavor of an old west operahouse with elements from area historic build-ings, including the late red-light district ofSilver City (See Tour 1, Site 2). There areexcellent artifacts and photos in theBuckhorn Saloon (circa 1865).

5. McDonald Cabin.On dirt road directlybehind Opera House.John McDonald, anold Indian fighter, wasreportedly in this areain 1851. Probably theoldest house in thecounty.

6. Judge Roy BeanStore Site. SE cornersouth of Site 4. Probablesite of the store operatedby (Judge) Roy Beanand his brother Samuelin the 1860s.

7. Pinos Altos Museum. The museum ishoused in a log cabin, Grant County’s first pri-vate school house, probably built around 1866. Go north to first arroyo.

8. First Courthouse. (past arroyo on R)Building housed the only court session inPinos Altos (1871). Continue to stop sign, and turn left. Trail of theMountain Spirits Byway continues north to GilaCliff Dwellings.

9. Cemetery.(Second gate from N, proceed50' to east at base of 2 large tree stumps.)Early miners in Pinos Altos, Capt. ThomasMastin (Marston on grave) and his brotherVirgil were killed by Apaches. Return on NM15.Viewpoint at MM 2.1.

PINOS ALTOS TOUR 2

PINOS ALTOSSCENIC TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS

Fort Cobre. This 3⁄4-scale reconstruction,was of a fort built atSanta Rita coppermine in 1804 to pro-tect the area. Site 3

McDonald Cabin.John McDonald, anold Indian fighter,was reportedly inthis area and livedhere in 1851. Site 5

Pinos Altos Museum.Housed in a log cabin,Grant County’s firstprivate school house,probably built around1866. Site 7

The Buckhorn Saloon& Opera House. cap-tures the flavor of themining era with ele-ments from area his-toric buildings. Site 4

Tour 2

In 1859, a group of Forty-Niners driftinghome from California discovered goldin the Pinos Altos (“Tall Pines”) area.Once a booming county seat, PinosAltos was a rough and tumble town ofgold bonanzas and Apache raids.

INERS. Some of the first to use “arrastras” (burrooperated mills to grind the gold ore) were Norero and Ancheta . . . family names still seen in SilverCity. In May 1860, Snively, Hicks, and Birch camped on BearCreek, and Birch found gold. While in Santa Rita for supplies,

the men met the Mastin brothers and a man named Langston to whom theyconfided the news. By September, 700 men were placering nearby, callingtheir camp “Birchville.” An earlier Mexican settlement called Pinos Altos, issaid to have sent gold to Chihuahua in 1837, but that camp disappeared.

APACHE INDIANS. Cochise joined the Warm Spring Apaches underMangas Coloradas to drive out “Los Godammies,” or white men. OnSeptember 22, 1861, 400 Apaches attacked the camp. Capt. ThomasMastin, nine other Arizona Scouts, and the miners stood in defense.The Indians withdrew after fatally wounding Captain Mastin (See Site9). In time, Mangas Coloradas urged peace and failed, was taken prison-er on January 17, 1863, and killed the following day at Fort McLane (SeeTour 6, Site 5). Raids and the Civil War caused Americans to leave, butthe Mexicans remained to wash gold and build arrastras.In July 1866, Virgil Mastin brought in a 15-stamp mill and a saw

mill hauled from St. Louis by oxen. The California Column was dis-banded in New Mexico and many stayed. Placering resumed and lodemining started. The camp was again known as Pinos Altos.

MINING & COMMERCE. In 1868, Ancheta had both tradingpost and arrastra; Samuel G. and (Judge) Roy Bean were dealers in mer-chandise and liquors; the Pinos Altos Co. was incorporated and had600–700 inhabitants, 2 stamp mills, many arrastras, three furnaces forsmelting, 2 hotels, several stores, and 7 saloons (which later increased).

—From The Pinos Altos Story by Dorothy Watson.

MHearst Chruch - Site 2

Grant County is well-knownfor its mineral deposits. Threeopen pit copper mines, numer-ous other diggings and the veryname of the county seat, SilverCity, conjure up images of goodmineral collecting sites. Visitorsfrom all over the world stop hereto do a little collecting as theytravel around the Southwest.

Some of the many items that can be collected in GrantCounty include Native Copper, Chrysocolla, Azurite,Turquoise, Gold, Silver, Obsidian, Fluorite, Amethyst,Chalcedony, Calcite, Ricolite, Moon Stone, Fossils,Petrified Wood, Geodes and Agates.Much of Grant County is rugged high desert and

mountain country. Access to collecting sites may requirehigh clearance or four-wheel drive vehicles. Before ven-turing into remote areas, discuss conditions you mightfind there with persons familiar with the area. Make surea responsible someone knows your plan.The US Forest Service is a good source for back road

conditions and camping sites. The Forest Service office islocated off the 32nd Street bypass (US Hwy. 180 East)(388-8201).

Always obtain permission before collecting on privateproperty. Also, look for claim markers and indications ofrecent activity. A note about safety. The area is strewn with abandoned

mine workings, which provide the rock hound withopportunities for finding many minerals. NEVERENTER A MINE! Be aware that there are many danger-ous hidden vertical shafts and openings that can poten-tially kill or maim. You can often find some spectacularminerals on or near the stockpiles around these mines.The Rolling Stones Gem and Mineral Society is Grant

County’s local rock club. If you are new to rock hound-ing, the Rolling Stones is a great way to learn about rockhounding in the area. The club sponsors the Gem andMineral Show Labor Day weekend. The Royal Scepter Gems and Minerals (575-538-

9001) is located at 1805 Little Walnut Rd., off US Hwy.180 West. Minerals and fossils from Grant County, NewMexico, and around the world are on display, including avery impressive fluorescent mineral display. The shop isopen from 10:00 am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

ROCKHOUNDINGWRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEVIN COOK

SCENIC TOURS – 11

Geode

• Crackling Fireplaces •Secluded Balconies• Relaxing Porches •Telephone •Satellite TV•Barbeque Grill •Hot Tub in Cabana•Meeting Room • Cabins with kitchens are available.Conveniently loca ted just 7 miles north of Silver City on NM Hwy. 15.

Fabulous getaway nestled in the tall pines of Pinos Altos.

575.388.4501888.388.4515

Make reservations & view availability online

www.BearCreekCabins.com88 Main Street • Pinos Altos, NM 88053

The name reflects those who have walked this way throughthe ages and a sense of the flora and fauna that capture

you... making this a mecca for all ages.

HIGHLIGHTS

Lake Roberts.(M22-24, NM35) Setaside by Congress in1924 as the firstwilderness area in theUS. Site 14

Gila Cliff DwellingsNat’l. Mon (M43.7,NM15) Built in the13th century, 42rooms within 5 natu-ral caves. Site 12

Continental Divide.(M15.1, NM15) Atthis marker you arecrossing the Contin-ental Divide Trail.Site 15

Fort Bayard.(M120.5, US180)Built in 1866 by the“Buffalo Soldiers” ofthe Ninth Calvary,Site 20

Tour 3

12 – SCENIC TOURS

TRAIL OF THE MOUNTAIN SPIRITSNATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY TOUR

Gila River.(M37.8,NM15)The rivercontributes to thearea’s scenic beauty.Site 9

Gerómino Monu-ment. (M42.4, NM15)Apache leader Gerónimowas born at the head-waters of the Gila Riverin1829. Site 11a

Photo by Jackie Blurto

n

SCENIC TOURS – 13

The Trail of the Mountain Spirits NationalScenic By-Way Tour: This tour starts at SilverCity and goes through Pinos Altos on NM 15,1.5 to 2 hours to the highlight of the tour: theGila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.You then backtrack to NM35 and turn left toLake Roberts. Follow NM35 along theMimbres River to NM152. Turn west to theChino Mine overlook at Santa Rita. Here alsois an opportunity to tour some of the oldmines in this area. Return to Silver City viaUS 180 and historic Ft. Bayard.TRAVEL NOTE: This brochure uses highway milepostmarkers for locating many sites. (e.g., M127.4 US180means 0.4 miles past marker 127 on US Highway 180.)Food and fuel are available at or near Sites 10, 13, 14, 16,24 and 25.

Map page 2

1. Murray Ryan Visitor Center. 210 N.Hudson.

2. Pinos Altos. (M6, NM15.) Pinos Altos (“TallPines”) was founded about 1859 when a group offorty-niners drifting home from California discov-ered gold in the area. (See Tour 2, Pinos Altos.)From Pinos Altos, continue on NM15. Note excel-lent viewpoints.

3. Bear Creek. (M7.4-M10, NM15) Site ofgold mining in the early days. Here are the firstevidences of mining by Ancheta and Norero.

4. Burro-Drawn Arrastra. (M8.1, NM15) Aburro-drawn arrastra (mill) was constructed here.

5. Gila National Forest. (M8.3, NM15) You areentering ponderosa pine country of the Gila (pro-nounced ‘HEE-la’) Forest. Almost one-fourth of the3.3 million acre forest is in wilderness, promoted byconservationist Aldo Leopold; set aside by Congressin 1924 as the first such wilderness area in the USA.

Some 400 miles of fishing streams lace the entireforest. Wildlife in the Gila includes RockyMountain mule deer, Sonoran white-tail deer,beaver, elk, bobcat, mountain lion, black bear.

6. Ben Lilly Park. (M10.1, NM15). This forest overlook honors the mountain man andlion-hunter Ben Lilly. A plaque 150 feet westdetails Lilly’s life and philosophy. Continuing onNM15, you will pass the entrance to Cherry Creekcampground (M12.2) and McMillan Camp-ground (M13.2).

7. Signal Peak.(M14.4, NM15) A winding 7mile, high clearance dirt road takes you past pon-derosa pine, spruce, fir and oak to the top of thepeak. From here you can see into Mexico. SignalPeak served as a heliograph point during theApache wars, signaling with a mirror and the sun’srays to distant peaks. Viewpoint (M18, NM15)

8. Anderson (Copperas) Vista. (M32,NM15) This outstanding viewpoint shows theheadwaters of the Gila River rimmed on thewest by the Mogollón Mountains, on the northby isolated peaks and divides, on the east bythe Black Range, and on the south by thePinos Altos Range. There are many otherexcellent viewpoints on NM15.

9. Gila River. (M37.8, NM15). Gila River flowswest to Yuma, AZ.

he Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Bywayfollows the footsteps of those who preceded: Mimbreño,Apache, Spaniard, Mexican, miner, rancher, outdoorsman. See the fullvariety of Grant County, from the high Chihuahuan desert to thesnow-touched wilderness.

These are the many sensations you experience when you venture along the Trailof the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway. It’s what one video called “TheLast Solitude.” As a motorist you’ll drive along a narrow corridor through the firstwilderness set aside by Congress. As you step out of your vehicle at one of themany mountain vistas, you’ll sense the feelings of Aldo Leopold and of TeddyRoosevelt as they trekked the area... and then fought hard to set the area aside forfuture generations to enjoy.The Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway tour, known for years as the

"Inner Loop", began as primitive forest roads and jeep trails. In 1994 it was rec-ognized both as a National Forest Scenic Byway and as a New Mexico ScenicByway. In February 2000, the name was changed to reflect the unanimous nameselection "Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway". The name reflects thosewho have walked this way through the ages and a sense of the flora and fauna thatcapture you … making this a mecca for all ages.

TMS BY-WAY TOUR 3

TThe Gila National Forest - Site 5

he Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is in the Gila National Forest and lies at theedge of the Gila Wilderness, the nation's first designated wilderness area. Almost onefourth of the 3.3 million- acre forest is a wilderness. Wilderness means the character of the area will not be alteredby the intrusion of roads or other evidence of human presence. This unique area reveals the homes of prehistoricIndians in southwestern New Mexico and offers a glimpse into the lives of the Indians that inhabited the regionfrom the 100s to the early 1300s A.D.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people of the Mogollón cul-ture who occupied the caves from the 1280s through the early 1300s.Settlers in the early 1870s penetrated the mountain wilderness, where rise the three forks of the Gila River. They were sur-

prised to find traces of an earlier race of men. Fallen walls of stone, strewn with pottery fragments, clearly indicated a peo-ple of high culture who made their homes there.The Gila Cliff Dwellings were built in the 1280s. These Pueblo people built their homes in natural caves and in the open,

and examples of both are here. Probably not more than 8-10 families lived in the caves at any one time. The rooms were usedfor a generation.These small, diligent, artistic people lived in cliff houses and riverside villages. They tilled mesa top and riverside fields with

digging sticks, and ground cornmeal with metate and mano. They fashioned pottery and cloth, carrying on trade with otherMogollón communities. They hunted and gathered wild plants and fruit to supplement their crops of squash, corn and beans.They were skilled potters, producing handsome brown bowls with black interiors and black-on-white vessels. The women aver-aged 5'1" and the men about 5'5" in height. They were slight of build, yet muscular, with dark hair and eyes and brown skin.Seven natural caves occur high in the southeast-facing cliff, and five of the caves contain the ruins of cliff dwellings, about 42

rooms. All the timbers seen in the dwellings are the originals; their tree-ring dates range through the 1280s. The cliff dwellers hadabandoned their homes and fields by the early 1300s. Perhaps they joined other Mogollón cultures to the north or south. Thesounds of their voices and laughter echoed in the canyon. And then – only the sounds of the streams and birds.The earliest ruin found within the monument area is a pithouse of a type that was made from about 100 to 400 A.D. This

dwelling was in the open, was circular, and had a narrow 2' x 10' entrance on the east side; the floor was below ground level.Later pithouses of the Mogollón, prevalent until about 1000 A.D., were usually constructed of masonry or adobe (sun-driedbricks of mud and straw), rectangular, and built entirely above the ground.

For more information, contact the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitors Center at 575-536-9461.

– National Park Service14 – SCENIC TOURS

T

SCENIC TOURS – 15

10. Gila Hot Springs. (M39.2, NM15) Numerous hot springs inthis area heat the homes and greenhouses of residents. Just beforeGila Hot Springs is the Grapevine Campground, boasting the world’slargest grapevine. At M43.7 the Heart Bar Wildlife Area was once aranch’s training ground for polo ponies; the ranch is now operated byGame and Fish for elk and mountain lion studies. (M41.8)

11. Visitors Center for Gila Cliff Dwellings. (M42.4, NM15)Pass the road to the National Monument, continue to the VisitorsCenter. With displays and artifacts, the Center introduces you to theculture of the Mogollón Indians, who built homes in the cliffs of thisarea. Near the Center are the remains of a 2.5-acre pueblo, with a pit-house dated at 600 A.D. Get info on hiking and horseback riding.View plaque honoring birthplace of Gerónimo.

11a.Gerónimo Monument. (M42.4, NM15) A monument dedicat-ed to famous Chirichahua Apache leader Gerónimo, who was bornat the headwatersof the Gila River in 1829 is loccated at the GilaCliff Dwellings National Monument Visitor Center. From the Visitors Center, return to the paved National Monument road.

12. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. (M43.7,NM15) Built late in the 13th century, there are 42 well-preservedrooms within 5 natural caves. See text on this page. Return on NM15, turn left (east) on NM35.

13. Vista Ruin. (M24, NM 35) This small Mimbres Indian site overlooksLake Roberts and has a self-guided interpretive trail, covered picnictables, toilet facilities and a beautiful view of Lake Roberts.

14. Lake Roberts. (M22-24, NM35) This man-made 72-acre lake offersfine fishing, boating, and camping. This is a fee use area. A fishing licenseor New Mexico Game and Fish GAIN permit is required. There are twocampgrounds and numerous trails leading into the forest. Special naturetrail and self-interpretive Mimbres Indian site are there.

15. Coninental Divide. Travel south to M15.1. At this marker youare crossing the Continental Divide. Ahead the Mimbres River flowseast to the Atlantic; behind you Sapillo Creek flows west to the GilaRiver and the Pacific.

16. Mimbres Valley. (M1-15, NM35) Scenic route follows the courseof the Mimbres River through green orchards and small farms.

17. Fort Webster #2 Site. (NE at intersection of NM61/152) Secondlocation for fort established at Santa Rita to protect the miners fromApache attack (See Tour 2, Site 3).Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway turns west on NM152, anextension loop continues south. Gerómino Trail Scenic Byway continuesto the east.

18. Kneeling Nun. (M12 & M2.4, NM152). Note the distinct rock out-cropping to the west on the north end of the mountain (Santa Ritaopen pit at its base). Legend says this spire was once a nun in lovewith a Spanish soldier and turned to stone as she knelt to pray. Alsoview at M2.3, NM152.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument - Site 12

rom the ancient exquisitely-paintedMimbres pottery to Chino's huge open-pitcopper mine, man's presence in Grant County hasbeen long and fruitful. By 400 A.D., the gentleMogollón culture inhabited these vast pine forests.Later came the more warlike Apaches; in their turn,

they saw the march of Spanish soldiers and Mexican settlements;and finally came the fur-trappers, miners and ranchers. Thismakes up a heritage of which we're very proud, hence the nameTrail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway.

F

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16 – SCENIC TOURS

The scenic byway meanders through the Mimbres River Valley, which served as the lifelinefor the ancient Mimbres culture. The artistic and peaceful Mimbres Indians left the valley sud-denly and mysteriously around 1300 A.D. Now, hints of intimate little pueblos lie buried, andone wonders about the figures on the overhanging cliff walls and tries to understand theirmeaning. The legacy of their abandoned villages and artwork can be found throughout thearea, mixed with relics of Spanish explorers in the late 1700s and Apache camps.The Apaches, called the Tchi-he-nde or Red Paint people, moved south to camp and

continued the tradition of farming. Spaniards from Mexico and Spain came to work themines and made slaves of the Apaches who rebelled. For 80 years, Apache raids, peacetreaties, and broken promises made the Mimbres country a place of massacres, expansion,and abandonment; the Mexican War, the Gadsden Purchase, Overland Mail, tiny forts,stage stations, and the stage crossing of the Mimbres at Mowry City. By the 1860s and 70s,Anglo and Hispanic settlers were also drawn to the fertile soil. Small-scale mining andsawmilling continues in the upper Mimbres. Local farm produce is also marketed. The Mimbres Area is one of sun and tranquility. Along the cottonwood-lined

banks of the Mimbres, farms and orchards hug together to drink the cold, clear water inabundance. High above, the Mimbres gets its start from snow-fed streams of the BlackRange. Up in the pines and piñón, deer, bear and elk still run nearly as unmolested as theydid in Mowry days. — by Betty Woods

One branch of the Mogollón culture lived in the Mimbres Valley asearly as 750 A.D. The Mimbreño Indians were small, brown-skinned people whofarmed, made exquisite pottery and kept diaries on convenient cliff walls. The pottery they pro-duced, with its finely-painted geometric and naturalistic designs, is world-famous today. Youtravel in the footsteps of the pre-historic MimbresIndians as they fish the streams, cultivate primitivecorn and are surrounded by the laughter of chil-dren playing in the canyons. You hear thequiet voice of the trapper traveling in territo-ry into which white settlers have never ven-tured. You sense the quietness of the peace-ful headwaters of the Gila into which thefamous Apache leader Gerómino was born.Sense some of their pride in this region.Hear the voices of the Buffalo Soldiers astheir patrols venture deeper into the wildernesstrying to maintain peace. Walk the paths of theearly miner trying to find the mother lode up thenext canyon. Mimbres pottery is the Wedgewood

of Southwest ware for its remarkablegeometric and life form designs thatmake it distinctive above all prehis-toric ceramics.

Photo by LeAnne Knudsen

19. Santa Rita/Chino MinesOpen Pit Copper Mine. (M5.8,NM152). John Sully, at the request ofG.E. Co. in 1904, studied the prop-erty for possible operation as an openpit mine. But G.E. lost interest. Sullypersevered, and received financialbacking in 1909, starting ChinoCopper Company, and built a newmill at Hurley (9 mi. away).Kennecott bought the mine in the1930s, built a smelter in 1939, addeda fire refinery in 1942, a reductionmill in 1983, and a new smelter in1984. Mitsubishi bought 30% in theearly 1980s. Phelps Dodge boughtthe remaining 70% later. Freeport-McMoRan purchased the mine in2007 and the smelter was dismantledin 2007.Return west on NM 152. At the railroadcrossing you might wish to tour someof the old mines to the north andsouth, primarily lead, zinc, and cop-per. (See Mining Tour p.18). Continuewest to the junction with US180, (Site20), Ft. Bayard, entrance is 1⁄4 mile fur-ther west.

20. Fort Bayard. (M120.5, US180)Fort Bayard was built in 1866 by the“Buffalo Soldiers” of the NinthCalvary, an all-black regiment. Statueof Cpl. Greaves, Medal of Honoree,who single-handedly saved his troop-ers. 2nd Lt. John J. “Black Jack”Pershing served here in 1886-87.From 1899 to 1920, the fort servedas an Army tuberculosis sanitariumand later as a veteran’s hospital.Today it is run by the state for thecare of elderly and handicappedpatients. The Fort borders a state elkrefuge and these majestic animals canoccasionally be seen nibbling on ten-der shoots of yucca. A nature trail isavailable for the handicapped. Ft.Bayard has one of two nationalcemeteries in New Mexico.

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SCENIC TOURS – 17

nce home to the Mimbres and "Red Paint" Chiricahua Apaches,irregular cavalry troops protecting settlements had camped inthe area during the Civil War.

In 1865, it was requested that a new fort be established in the southwesternregion. In 1866, the 125th U.S. Infantry established Fort Bayard between Pinos

Altos and Santa Rita. The post was name Fort Bayard in honor of Gen. Bayard who had servedin the Territory before being killed at the Battle of Fredericksburg.

In 1871 a lieutenant described the fort: "The locality was all that could be desired; thePost everything undesirable." From 1873-75 it went from tents and huts to adobe officers’quarters. Later the Fort was known as one of the most attractive posts in the southwest.

Fort Bayard was home to Native American Indian Scouts, Buffalo Soldiers (severalwere Medal of Honor recipients, recognized by the statue of honoree Cpl. ClintonGreaves), and Will Cathay (A.K.A. Cathy Williams) who was the only known femaleBuffalo Soldier. Gen. George Crook and Lt. "Black Jack" Pershing served at the post. The Indianthreat ended when Gerónimo surrendered in 1886.

In 1899, facing abandonment, the Fort was transferred to the Army Medical Departmentbecause of the healing qualities of the high altitude and dry sunny climate. It became the first U.S. Army tuberculosis sanatorium, with Major D.D.M. Bushnell in charge. R.N. Kinney, laterdirector of Army Nurses Corps, supervised the inclusion of female nurses in the Department.

In 1922, under the Veterans Administration, WW-I and WW-II veterans were rehabilitated.German POWs were housed. In 1965 under the State of New Mexico it was made a long-term health

care center. The 1866 cemetery was named a NationalCemetery in 1976.

Fort Bayard was designated a NewMexico Historic District in 2001and a National HistoricLandmark in 2004.

O

Fort Bayard National Cemetery - Tour 3, Site 20 Fort Bayard, built by “Buffalo Soldiers” in 1866 - Tour 3, Site 20

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Mangas Coloradas, “Red Sleeves,” chief of the Apachenation, sent arrows tipped with copper flying into camps ashis “calling cards.” Kit Carson wrote of storing a load of furs

in an old mine at Santa Rita.

18 – SCENIC TOURS

Santa Rita/Chino Open Pit Copper Mine - Site 4

MININGSCENIC TOUR

Kneeling Nun(M2.3,NM152)Legend, oncea nun in love with aSpanish soldier andturned to stone as sheknelt to pray. Site 1

Georgetown Site &Cemetery (M6.9,NM152) A silver-min-ing boomtown untilthe Silver Panic of1893. Site 5

Mining Equipment.(M6,NM152)Haulingtruck operating atSanta Rita/ChinoOpen Pit CopperMine. Site 4

Vanadium.(US180,NM356, 2.6 mi.right) ASARCO’sGround Hog lead-zincmine and mill untillate 1970s. Site 13

Tyrone Overlook.(M32, NM90)View extensive mine reclamation of barren rockdumps. Site 14

Burro-Drawn ArrastraSite (M7.8, NM15) Aburro-drawn arrastra(mill) to grind ore inmid-1800s, north ofPinos Altos. Site 16

CHINO MINES. The oldest active mine in the southwest, the “Santa Rita del Cobre”, was worked asearly as 1800 by Col. José Manuel Carrasco. Convict labor from New Spain mined the shafts, with mule trainsof ore sent down the Janos Trail to Chihuahua, Mexico. Under the ownership of Don Francisco de Elguea, an impressive adobefort (See replica Tour 2, Site 3) was built near the mine, along with smelters and numerous buildings. Though profitable, the mineeventually had to be abandoned to the Apaches. In 1851, the old fort served as a ready-made base for the U.S.-Mexican BoundarySurvey; a year later it became the site of Ft. Webster (See Tour 3, Site 17), the area’s first U.S. military establishment.

HIGHLIGHTSTour 4

Photo courtesy Freeport

SCENIC TOURS – 19

n the late 19th century, the mine wasreopened and the town of Santa Rita wasreborn. The huge open pit, started about 1910, soonconsumed Santa Rita. The mine itself is now operatedby Freeport-McMoRan. Giant-sized machines scoopthe ore from the earth and huge 200-ton ore trucks

transport it to the reduction mill to the southwest of the pit.The Chino Overlook provides an excellent viewpoint.

— from ChinoRegularly scheduled Historic mining district tours available on the sec-ond Tuesday of each month from the Bayard City Hall, 800 Central,Bayard. Tours leave at 10am on a Corre Caminos bus. Reservationsare required at $5 and are about 11⁄2 hours. Learn more about theunderground mining history of the area. View historic mine head-frames and the open pit copper mine at Santa Rita by a knowledge-able guide. Call 537-3327 for reservations and information.

SANTA RITA. In 1803 Franscisco ManuelElguea, a Chihuahua banker and businessman, founded thetown of Santa Rita. He named it Santa Rita del Cobre. Famousresidents include Ralph Kiner, National Baseball Hall of Fame;Harrison Schmidt, Apollo 17 astronaut; and William HarrellNellis, for whom Nellis Air Force Base was named.

APACHE MINERS. Indians harvested the copper that“grew from the ground in fernlike pieces.” Mangas Coloradasor “Red Sleeves,” chief of the Apache nation, sent arrows tippedwith copper flying into camps as his “calling cards.” This wasafter Indians were slain in 1837 by a howitzer concealed in thebrush. The Indians cut off all supplies, remnants of the campfled south; Santa Rita remained a ghost town until 1858.

SPANISH MINERS. The Santa Rita del Cobre Mine wasold when the California Gold Rush began. Lt. Col. JoséCarrasco ignored orders to destroy the Apache. Instead, he dida favor for the Indians who showed him native copper andwhere to find more. About 1800, Carrasco and a party of 24arrived in Santa Rita and opened the second oldest copper minein the U.S. (only Lake Superior’s deposits were known earlier).

AMERICAN MINERS. Trappers seeking beaver learnedabout the mine. Kit Carson wrote of storing a load of furs inan old mine. Sylvester Pattie decided to buy it, but left whena trusted employee absconded with $30,000 of his capital.

END OF INDIAN RAIDS. In 1872, Cochise, successorto Mangas Coloradas, agreed to move his tribesmen to reser-vations. Martin B. Hayes took over the old copper mines,including one known as the “Chino” (“Chinaman”), butGerónimo continued to war against the whites. WhileGerónimo was held captive (1877–1882), J. Parker Whitneybought out the Santa Rita. Richer veins played out. At thattime, no one knew the low-grade sulphide rock wouldbecome the foundation of one of state’s greatest industries.

TYRONE. Operations started 1909 when PhelpsDodge Corp. bought several claims, the first of 300they would own by 1916. Mrs. James Douglas and Mrs. Dodgeengaged Bertram Goodhue, later of San Diego Expositionfame, who designed Spanish-type office buildings and homes—excluding outdoor plumbing, saloons, and brothels. Whenmines closed nationwide in 1921, Tyrone became the “mostbeautiful ghost town in the west” and served for a time as adude ranch. Sept. 1, 1966, Phelps Dodge established its largeopen pit copper mine and mill, and the “Sleeping Beauty”awakened. Fred Borenstein is said to have bought the $100,000railroad depot for salvage and sold it for $1. He didn’t have theheart to wreck it. Freeport-McMoRan purchased the Tyronemine in 2007. — from Silver City Enterprise

1. Kneeling Nun (M2.3, NM152) (See Tour 3, Site 18).2. Mathis Lime (M3.2, NM152) Lime for copper recovery.3. Kearney Mine (M5.7, NM152 on the left) The headframe and

dump on the hill to your left was a zinc mine operated by Peru Miningor its successor until 1974.

4. Santa Rita/ChinoOpen Pit CopperMine (M6, NM152)See details in Tour 5-10. Mine and concen-trator in distance toright, operated byFreeport-McMoRan,produce a copper con-centrate for eventualtreatment in a smelter.(See Site 14). Coppersulfate from a leachingoperation is currently processed through a solvent extraction/electrowin-ning plant (to east) resulting in plates of .999 copper.

5. Georgetown Site and Cemetery (M6.9, NM152) Georgetown,once called the treasure vault of New Mexico, was a silver-miningboomtown that prospered until the Silver Panic of 1893. The cemeteryis 4 mi. north on scenic Georgetown Rd. The town site is 1 mi. northof the cemetery. (Return west on NM152, 2 mi. to NM356 (Fierro Rd.), CHECK MILEAGE, andturn north).

6. Empire Zinc Mine & Mill (0.3 mi. on Fierro Rd.) Empire Zincwas operated by New Jersey Zinc until 1970.

7. Republic Mine (1.6 mi.). Iron mine workings on left (also NE).8. St. Anthony’s Church (2.8 mi.) Old church with superb view of the

Mine and Mill (See Site 9) from parking lot. Stone religious grotto.9. Cobre Mining Mine and Mill (Seen from Site 8) Sharon Steel

operated this mill, open pit, and underground mine until copper pricesdropped too low. Now Cobre Mining owned by Freeport-McMoRan. Forest Road to North. Return south on NM356, CHECK MILEAGE when cross-ing NM152.

10. Princess Mine (NM356, 0.2 mi., on hill to left). Headframe is USSmelting & Refining’s old Princess mine operated through the 1960s.

11. Combination Mine (NM356, 0.5 mi. on right). The remains of anold ASARCO lead-zinc mine; reclaimed in 1995.

12. Santa Rita Concentrator (NM356, 2.5 mi. to NE). Leach dump ison hill to right.

13. Vanadium (NM356, 2.6 mi. right) ASARCO’s Ground Hog lead-zincmine and mill until late 1970s. Go south 2.5 mi., turn right onto US180and return to Silver City. Return via US180, go south 15 mi. on NM90.

14. Freeport-McMoRan Tyrone Mine (M32, NM90) Ore from thislarge open-pit operation is leached and the recovered copper sulfate solu-tion is processed through a solvent extraction/electrowinning plant, giv-ing .999 copper. Return through Silver City, north on NM15.

15. Hearst Mine (M5.1, NM15) For details (See Tour 2, Site1). TheHearst mine was in the saddle (to west) between peaks.

16. Burro-Drawn Arrastra Site (M7.8, NM15) Burro-drawn arrastrato grind ore in mid-1800s (See Tour 3, Site 4). A short dirt road leads to a parking area for this site.

17. Legal Tender Mine (Directly west, behind the County Court-house.) City’s original silver mine.

18. Mineral Museum (2 blocks north on Little Walnut Road) Mineral dis-plays at Royal Scepter for the rockhounder and those interested in the historyand beauty of rock specimens.

This tour gives a good feel for the extent mining has influ-enced history in this area.

Take US180 east & NM152. Highway milepost markers were used toaid you (e.g., M2.3, NM152). Round-trip mileage from Silver City: sitesA-M, 45 mi.; site N, 30 mi.; sites O-R, 20 mi.

MINING TOUR 4

I

20 – SCENIC TOURS

You will go into the very heart of the 3.3 million acreGila National Forest, past high meadows, running

streams, and sudden vistas.

Photo by Bill Allen

GILA HIGH COUNTRYSCENIC TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS

Gila River (M85,US180) It nurturessome of the bestremaining SW riparianhabitats. See heronand other birds. Site 9

Bill Evans Lake(M87, US180, W onFR809) 65-acre lakestocked by the NMDept. of Game andFish. Site 6

Glenwood Hatchery.(M50.5, US180)Observe schools oftrout swimming inthe raceways and fishin the pond. Site 15

Continental Divide.(M109.5, US180)6,230 ft. You crossthe ContinentalDivide four times.Site 3

Cooney’s Tomb(M46.1, US180, 5 mi.on FR701) Sgt. JamesCooney, was buried ina tomb carved in ahuge boulder. Site 18

Snow Lake.(39 mi. eastof Glenwood, FR142)At 7,400 feet, the100-acre lake offers fishing,camping, hiking, andpicnicking. Site 22

Tour 5

Photo by Debra Sutton

Gila National Forest & Wilderness Area - Site 11 and Tour 3, Site 5

n 1899 a large section of rugged forested mountains and rolling woodlands was set aside as a new publicdomain; eventually this would form the base of the almost 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest (pronounced Hee-la). Today, thesemountains and canyons, ranging in elevation from 4,200 to 11,000 feet, comprise one of the nation’s largest undisturbed natural areas.In the 1880s Mogollón (“Mug-e-Yone”) roared into existence with a production of gold that might have satisfied Coronado.

Despite Apache attacks, the Mogollón area produced millions of dollars in gold and silver ore. The ore went down the long trail toSilver City in clanking 18-mule team ore wagons. In the summer, Mogollón offers shops, a cafe and sights that tease your imagination. Many old buildings still stand, and the mining

museum and gallery preserve interesting artifacts of area history. The movie “My Name Is Nobody” with Henry Fonda and Terence Hillwas filmed here.If you are continuing east on NM159, have adequate gas and supplies. The next services will be along the Mimbres River, 120-170 miles

away. Sections of the road to Snow Lake climb above 9,000 feet. This stretch, from Mogollón through the Willow Creek area, is difficult anda better route is through Reserve, NM, on FS141.

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SCENIC TOURS – 21

This tour takes you to Cliff/Gila, Glenwood and Mogollón. Billythe Kid’s stepfather, William Antrim, was a blacksmith atGraham, a mining area above Whitewater Canyon in Glenwood.Take US180 west from Silver City.

Map page 2

1. Silver City Visitor Center. 210 N. Hudson.

2. Chloride Flat. (M112, US 180) Soon after the initial silver strike in 1870,Lorenzo Carrasco and others made new discoveries at Chloride Flat, west oftown . . . the first major silver district in New Mexico, producing over 2 mil-lion ounces in its 20 years. The Carrascos had experience in Mexico. By pro-ducing the first marketable silver bullion, Carrasco brought in prospectiveminers and was largely responsible for the town’s favorable reputation as amining district.

3. Continental Divide (M109.5, US180) 6,230 ft. You cross theContinental Divide four times.

4. Mangas Springs (M94, US180) In the late 1700s the Spanish knew thisas Santa Lucía, a meeting place and bivouac for their expeditions. In 1846Gen. Kearney, guided by Kit Carson, met with the Apache chief MangasColoradas. Briefly it was an unofficial reservation for the Mimbres Apaches.

5. Gila/LC Ranch Headquarters (M89, US180) Turning right onRT211, in 4 miles you reach the town of Gila, former headquarters of theonce-famous Lyons-Campbell Ranch (private property). In 1884 the ranchwas described as the “largest in the world,” 60 miles from north to south and40 miles from east to west. A bona fide “cattle baron,” Thomas Lyons dreamedof an operation that would make this the biggest cattle market west of KansasCity. The dream failed, and in 1917 he was mysteriously murdered in El Paso.Once part of the LC’s self-sufficient empire, many buildings in Gila remain atestament to the “Lion’s” energy.

6. Bill Evans Lake (M87, US180, W on FR809) This 65-acre lake was cre-ated by the Phelps Dodge Corp. and stocked by the NM Dept. of Game andFish. This is a fee use area. A fishing license or New Mexico State Game andFish GAIN permit is required.

7. Gila River Bird Habitat Management Unit (M87, US180) This spe-cial section of the Gila River in the Gila National Forest is specifically man-aged as a bird habitat. It is a major migration route and a great variety of ripar-ian, water fowl, and desert scrub species can be seen here. Migrations begin inApril. (See direction to this site in Birding Destinations on page 27, Site B9.)

8. Fort West Site (M85.5, US180, E on bluff ) The first American settlementon the Gila, this fort was established in 1863 as part of a campaign against theApaches. Abandoned a year after construction, the fort was later dismantled.(Now on private property.)

9. Gila River (M85, US180).The Gila River starts in the Gila National Forestand flows west to Yuma, AZ, and the Colorado River. It nurtures some of thebest remaining SW riparian habitats. Watch for heron and other birds.

10. Cliff (M84, US180) Cliff was settled about 1884 as a farming and ranchingcommunity. To the east are the remains of a four-story, 300-room SaladosIndian pueblo, 1425–1575 AD. (private property). The Salado culture was asub-group of the Anasazi, normally found in Arizona.

OPTIONAL SIDE TRIP: Sacaton Road Drive: A scenic alternative drive to Leopold Vista, Site 11,is a county-maintained, graveled (dirt) road. It follows the base of theMogollón Range, with 26 miles of beautiful vistas and access to trailheadsinto the Gila Forest and Wilderness. In Cliff, take NM293 north 2.2 miles;turn left onto Sacaton Road and follow it until Forest Road 147, which exits½ mile north of the Leopold Vista (See Site 11). Note that the road may beunpassable if there has been recent rain or there is rain in the forecast, andthere are a couple of water crossings. Call the Gila National Forest at 575-388-8201 or Glenwood Ranger District,575-539-2481 for road conditions.

OPTIONAL SIDE TRIP: Gila Riparian Preserve: 7,300 acres along the Gila River, owned by TheNature Conservancy. In Cliff, take NM293 north for 5.5 miles to the Gila River.The Preserve is off to the left; use the stile in the fence to the right of the lockedgate to cross into the Preserve.

11. Leopold Vista (M63.6, US180) This stop offers a superb view of the GilaWilderness. It honors conservationist Aldo Leopold who, influenced by his

WHITEWATER CANYON is a steep rugged gorgethat originates deep in the Gila Wilderness. A fastflowing stream passes through the narrow canyon out-let beneath The Catwalk and into picnic grounds near an oldmill site. The flow continues downstream through Glenwoodto converge with the San Francisco River. The CatwalkNational Recreation Trail provides able hikers access to pristinewilderness trout waters above The Catwalk. Check with theforest service for conditions and accessibility. Publisher’s Note:New construction on the the metal walkways andtrail is scheduled to begin the summer of 2015 due to 2013 floods.

THE CATWALK The town called both Graham andWhitewater grew up around a mill built by John T. Grahamin 1893 and survived less than 10 years. All that remains tomark the spot is part of the mill walls still clinging to thewest side of the canyon near the entrance to The Catwalk.The mines above the canyon were worked from their dis-covery in 1889 until 1942 (Billy the Kid's stepfather,William Antrim, was a blacksmith at Graham).

The Helen Mining Company was first to develop 13claims about 4 miles upstream from the mill, which couldnot be built closer to the mines because of the rough, narrowcanyon. A 3-mile, 4-inch metal pipeline provided a continu-ous water supply to the town and its electric generator. Alarger 18" pipeline was built in 1897 to run a big, new gen-erator. Today’s Catwalk follows the route of the original line.Pipe used in the water line was delivered to the site on

wagons drawn by teams of up to 40 horses. Ore was pulleddown the mountain by smaller teams to an ore chute, locat-ed on the ridge just above the mill. Brace holes were drilledinto the solid rock walls, sometimes 20 feet above thecanyon floor, to hold the timbers and iron bars that sup-ported the smaller water line along its meandering course.Some of the original 18" pipes support sections of the pres-ent-day Catwalk.The massive rock walls of Whitewater Canyon saw few visi-

tors until the Civilian Conservation Corps. was assigned thetask of rebuilding The Catwalk as a recreation attraction for theGila National Forest. The present metal catwalk was built bythe Forest Service in 1961 and extensively renovated in 2004.

– Eve SimmonsCall the Gila National Forest at 575-388-8201 or Glenwood Ranger District, 575-539-2481 for trail conditions.

OGOLLÓN The small communityof Mogollón (mo-goh-yone) sits at6,800 feet in the Mogollón Range ofthe mountains of the Gila Wilderness. In thelate 1800s, with the discovery of rich veins ofore on Silver Creek, Mogollón was one of the

West’s wildest and richest mining towns.In its heyday Mogollón boasted a population of some

3,000 to 6,000 souls and, because of its isolation, was trulyone of the wildest, shoot-'em-up mining towns in theWest. Mining continued up to the 1950s and resumed fora short time in the 1970s before coming to a halt.Today, Mogollón is an interesting ghost town comprised of

old wooden and adobe buildings and nearby mining siteswith only a handful of hardy year-round residents. OnFridays, Saturdays and Sundays between May and October,visitors to Mogollón will find an art gallery, mining museum,antique store, and small cafe open for business, along withseasonal weekend accommodations.A hike to the local graveyard is short in distance but long

in history. Beginning at the old school house at the north endof the main street in Mogollón, a rough gravel road leads

GILA HIGH COUNTRY TOUR 5

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22 – SCENIC TOURS

north 1-1/4 miles up Graveyard Gulch into the hills to end, asyou might guess, at the old Mogollón graveyard. The road isrough, steep, and in places passes over broken bedrock. Whilethe road can be driven in a high-clearance vehicle, it is muchbetter to make the pilgrimage on foot where the essence of thisremarkable place will surely seep in your soul.The hike up Graveyard Gulch is truly a time-warp hike. After

passing a few buildings and evidence of modern civilization at thestart of the hike, you are quickly transported into another era asyou pass by old mine workings, tumbled-down miner's shacksand assorted decaying artifacts of human toil and struggle.

Publisher’s Note: Whether visitingAmerica’s coastal beaches, inlandprairies or majestic mountainranges, the power of natural forcesis evident. Interpretive signage atThe Catwalk broadens visitor expe-rience by explaining MotherNature’s capacity for moving rocksand trees. Recent unusual rainevents, some compounded by light-ning-initiated forest fires, heavilydamaged Mogollon (left) and TheCatwalk. Over $14 million hasbeen approved for re-constructionover the next few years. A portionof the Whitewater Trail is now

open, as well as access from Reserve. Construction to rebuildThe Catwalk is scheduled to begin the summer of 2015.Contact the U.S. Forest Service for updated road, trail andcampground information in these regions of the GilaNational Forest. Silver City 575-388-8201; Glenwood575.539.2481; Reserve 575-533-8029.

Mogollón Ghost Town - Site 20

Photo by Debra Sutton

Whitewater Canyon - Site 16

experiences in the Gila National Forest, boldly advanced the field ofgame management. Leopold was instrumental in the designation of theGila Wilderness as the country’s first wilderness area.

12. Soldiers Hill (M61.6, US180) To the west, in 1885, U.S. troops pur-sued Apache Indians who divided into three groups and caught the sol-diers in a deadly triple crossfire. The soldiers were buried in the WScemetery (See Site 19).

13. Glenwood (M50, US180) This pleasant community, at the junction ofWhitewater Creek and the San Francisco River, attracts numerous huntersand fishermen. Lodging is available. Western artist Olaf Wieghorst has tiesto Glenwood; he served with the Cavalry after Pancho Villa’s raid and laterworked on area ranches.

14. Alma Jail House and Antrim Cabin (M50.5, US180) The LosOlmos Guest Ranch includes two historic buildings. The Alma jail willgive any visitor a claustrophobic sense of prison conditions. The Antrimcabin was built and occupied by William Antrim, stepfather of Billy theKid. See “Billy the Kid” story page 22.

15. Glenwood Hatchery (M50.5, US180) A half mile east toward theCatwalk is the Glenwood Hatchery operated by the State Dept. ofGame and Fish. Visitors are welcome to observe the schools of troutswimming up and down the raceways. Ask about fishing in the pond.

16. The Catwalk. (M50.5, US180) Another five miles up the WhitewaterCanyon road will bring you to the unusual Catwalk. This 250-foot metalcauseway clings to the sides of the boulder-choked canyon, in someplaces only 20 feet wide and 250 feet deep. There are many spots wherea hiker can leave the trail and relax on the grassy banks of the sycamore-shaded stream. The trail continues into the Wilderness.Publisher’s Note:New construction on the the metal walkways and trailis scheduled to begin the summer of 2015 due to 2013 floods.The Catwalk is located 5 mi. east of Glenwood, past the GlenwoodHatchery, an excellent stop to visit! From the Catwalk, return to US180.Three miles up US180 is the turnoff to the Mogollón ghost town. Call the GilaNational Forest at 575-388-8201 or Glenwood Ranger District, 575-539-2481 for trail conditions.Stay on US180 in order to see Alma, Cooney’s Tomb and the WS Ranch. Thosenot continuing on the loop to Mogollón might wish to travel further on scenicUS180 and NM12 to the old ranching community of Reserve, NM.

17. Alma (M46, US180) This small community, once a stop on the “out-law trail” from Mexico, was used as a refuge by such men as ButchCassidy and his gang.

18. Cooney’s Tomb (M46.1, US180, 5 mi. on FR701) Sgt. James Cooneydiscovered riches and began to develop his gold and silver deposits afterbeing discharged in 1875. He was killed April 30, 1880, by Victorio andhis Apaches. Cooney’s mutilated body was found by friends who carved atomb out of a huge boulder on Mineral Creek. His brother, Capt. M.Cooney, later came from Chicago to develop the Mogollón mines.

19. WS Ranch and Cemetery. (M44.3, US180) Still in operation, thissprawling ranch was run in the 1890s by the entertaining author, CaptainWilliam French. Using aliases, Butch Cassidy and his men once worked ashands at the WS (private land). In 1885, troops were massacred at SoldiersHill (#12) and were buried in a hillside cemetery here, still visible. At this point, turn and backtrack to M47.4 and the road to Mogollón. Thesteep, narrow, paved road to Mogollón is not recommended for largetrailers, and may be unpassable during the winter months.

20. Mogollón. (M47.4, US180, 9 mi. on NM159) The narrow road toMogollón first winds to Whitewater Mesa with its high meadow againstmountainous backdrop. Almost at the top, you will see across the canyonthe tailings of the old Little Fanney Mine (reclaimed in early 1990s), amongthe richest in the region. Mogollón lies tucked in the narrow valley below.Publisher’s Note: The steep, narrow, paved road to Mogollón is not rec-ommended for large trailers, and may be unpassable during the wintermonths. East of Mogollón NM159 to Willow Creek becomes a gravel road.High clearance vehicles are recommended. Low clearance vehicles andlong trailers are not advised. It's closed in winter and opens in May. Callthe Gila National Forest at 575-388-8201 or Glenwood Ranger Dist., 575-539-2481 for road conditions.

OPTIONAL SIDE TRIP:While the road from Mogollón to Willow Creek is reconstructed, an alternateroute is through Reserve, NM on FS141.

21. Willow Creek Area (30 miles on NM159) This gravel road toWillow Creek is among the most beautiful in Southwest NM.

22. Snow Lake (39 miles east of Glenwood, FR142) At an altitude of7,400 feet, the lake is cool and pleasant in the summer. This 100-acrelake offers fishing, camping, hiking, and picnicking. Return to US180. Call the Gila National Forest at 575-388-8201 for road con-ditions. Forrest Roads are frequently closed.

Photos by Debra Sutton

City of Rocks Scenic Tour: This tour takesyou South of Silver City through the MiningDistrict to Deming and Columbus with anOptional Side Trip to Lordsburg & Portal, AZ.Take US180 east, visit Ft. McLane (Site 5); continue toNM61. Left to City of Rocks State Park (Site 6); Viewpoint(Site 7); continue south on US180 east, to DemingMuseum (Site 8); continue east on NM549 and southon NM143 to Rockhound State Park (Site 9) and NM11to Columbus and Pancho Villa State Park (Site 10).

Map page 2

1. Santa Clara. (US180). First county seat.Once named “Central.”

2. Bayard. (M124, US180). Now center of themining district, the town originally was a railroadsupply point for Fort Bayard. Regularly sched-uled mining tours, call Visitor Center 538-5555.

3. Hurley. (M127, US180) The location of theformer Chino Mine Smelter.

4. Mining Museum & Gallery. (M127,US180) Circa 1910, Copper smelter photos,Mimbres Indian artifacts; 99 Cortez. Railroadmuseum is being developed.

5. Fort McLane. (M131.5, US180). To the eastis the site of Fort McLane, established in 1861 toprotect Pinos Altos, Santa Rita, and theButterfield trail. Here the over 70-year-oldApache chief Mangas Coloradas (Red Sleeves),after surrendering near Pinos Altos, was killedwhile allegedly attempting to escape.

6. City of Rocks State Park. (32 miles south onUS180, and 4 miles east on NM61). Formed from anancient lava flow and eroded by the wind andwater, these rock formations create an eerie andfantastical world. Complete with a desert garden,the park offers excellent camping and picnic sites.

7. Viewpoint. (M139, US180, junction NM61)Directly east is the jagged fang of Cooke’s Peak.Almost due south are the Florida Mountains, withthe Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters) to their right.West, one can see the Burro Mountains and Jack’sPeak, site of a Smithsonian solar radiation obser-vatory in the 1930s, with the Freeport-McMoRanmine at the base. The Butterfield Trail, PonyExpress Route, and Mormon Battalion Trail allpassed just to the south. The Janos Trail carriedcopper ore south to Chihuahua City, Mexico.

8. Deming/Luna Mimbres Museum.Minerals, gems, frontier military history andMimbres exhibits and collections.

9. Rockhound State Park. A 250-acre parkhas picnic facilities, overnight camping, hikingtrails, wildlife and exhibits on local history and abotanical and native polllinator garden.

10.Pancho Villa State Park. Located on the siteof old Camp Furlong where Villa raided the U.S.This 61 acre park offers a massive desert botanicalgarden, camping and museum/visitor center.If you decide to go into Mexico check New Identi-fication Requirements.Return via US180 to Silver CityOPTIONAL ROUTE: Travel I-10 to Lordsburg. VisitLordsburg Museum, Shakespeare Ghost Town,and Portal,AZ for birding in Chiricahua Mountains.

11.Lordsburg Museum. Once a stage stop onthe Butterfield Trail, relive Lordsburg’s history andthe county’s farming and ranching heritage.

12.Shakespeare Ghost Town. Hangings andshootings were commonplace in this 1880s townwith no lawmen. Call ahead for tour dates and re-enactments. 575-542-9034 shakespeareghost-town. com Return to Silver City on NM90.

CITY OF ROCKS TOUR 6

SCENIC TOURS – 23

City of Rocks State Park - Site 6

ity of Rocks State Park, located in the extreme southwesterncorner of Grant County, is a striking result of the geologicprocess of erosion. It is a quiet retreat, and a source of unending interest toboth adults and children.T heory is that these formations were thrown 180 miles from a volcano

near Albuquerque. For some, the park resembles a medieval village; forothers it is a collection of misshapen, albeit benign, giants. Essentially, it is a flat-lyingsheet of reddish lava which has been chiseled by action of water-borne abrasives into thelikeness of a city with streets and buildings. The jointing of the rocks has taken placealong vertical rather than horizontal planes, with the consequence that the “streets” aremore or less the same height. There are formations which readily suggest giants’ chairs,prehistoric monsters, or creatures of imaginative myth.Adjacent to the formations rises Table Mountain, a perfect example of a mesa. The

appearance suggests a cone accurately cut off somewhat below the middle, and the table top,from a distance of a few miles, looks as level as though it had been laid off with surveyor’sinstruments. Plant life of the “City” includes shade-providing evergreen oaks. Dominantplants on the surrounding plain are tree yucca, broomweed, and black grama grass.

— by Ross Calvin

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HIGHLIGHTS

Shakespeare GhostTown.(46 mi. SE onNM90) Authen-tically preservedremains of a roughand tumble era ofthe 1880s. Site 12

Mining Museum &Gallery. (M127, US18099 Cortez)Circa 1910,Copper smelter photos,Mimbres Indian arti-facts; Railroad museumis being developed. Site 4

Cooks Peak (M139,US180, junctionNM61). The 8,408foot peak, a prominantSo. NM landmark, canbe viewed from I-10 & 1-25. Site 7

Pancho Villa StatePark. A 61-acre parklocated where Villaraided the U.S. CampFurlong Day is held inMarch commenorat-ing the raid. Site 10

Tour 6

CITY OF ROCKS AND SOUTH OF SILVER CITY

SCENIC TOUR

ILLY’S ROOTS.The myth that Billy the Kid killed his first man in Silver Cityis just that—one of many legends surrounding this young gunslinger’scareer. Possibly the most written-about western figure, little is actually known about Billythe Kid’s early childhood. He was probably born around 1859 in New York City. In 1873he was a witness at the marriage of his mother, Catherine McCarty, to William Antrim inSanta Fe. Like many New Mexicans, Antrim was a jack-of-all-trades with a burning desire

to strike it rich. So within months of acquiring a wife and two sons, Billy’s stepfather moved his family tothe southwest’s newest and richest mining district—Silver City.MEMORIES OF BILLY. Today in Silver City, Billy’s memory lives in family stories handed down andin our imaginations. In a 1902 interview, Sheriff Whitehill summed up his memories of the Kid:“There was one peculiar characteristic that to an experienced man-hunter would have marked him

immediately as a bad man,” the sheriff remarked with placid hindsight, “and that was his dancing eyes.They never were at rest, but continually shifted and roved much like his own rebellious nature.”BOYHOOD HOME. In the rough mining boom town, William Antrim purchased a lot on the east sideof Main Street, now the Big Ditch, south end of Visitors Center. The log cabin where the Antrim familylived was eventually torn down in 1894. By many accounts, Antrim was a negligent father, away long peri-

BILLY THE KIDMEMORIES

“Come gather round and I’ll sing you a song,A tale of Pat Garrett and the Kid who went wrong,

Way down in New Mexico, long, long ago,Where a man’s only law was his own forty-four.

Now when Billy the Kid was a very young lad,In old Silver City he went to the bad.Way out West with a knife in his hand,

At the age of twelve years he killed his first man.”–from the “Ballad of Billy the Kid”

Billy the Kid Cabin Tour 1, Site 4

B

above: Today’s Cabin. The cabin on the site was designed after an 1870’s cabin, the era when Billy lived in SilverCity. The cabin was donated by producer-director Ron Howard and used in his 2003 movie, “The Missing”. Billy the Kid

24 – SCENIC TOURS

SCENIC TOURS – 25

The draw of mining riches, great climate andsolitude brought famous names to Silver City:Teddy Roosevelt. In 1913 he stayed attoday’s Burro Mountain Homestead; hunted theXSX Ranch. Franklin D. Roosevelt. While Secretaryof the Navy, he and Eleanor also visited theHomestead, as friends of the Fergusons.Kit Carson. Scouted for Gen. Kearney, pass-ing by Santa Rita mine in 1846, later as a team-ster there. He hauled supplies and hunted forPinos Altos stores.Butch Cassidy (& the Wild Bunch).“Jim Lowe’s cowhands” at WS Ranch nearGlenwood between robberies. George Hearst. George and Phoebe Hearst,parents of William Randolph Hearst, owned a PinosAltos mine (See Tour 2, Site 1), the Santa Rita coppermine (See Tour 3, Site 19), and a ranch near Deming. Lorenzo Carrasco. Owned early minesand mills in Silver City; (Judge) Roy Bean. Ran a store in PinosAltos with his brother Sam. (See Tour 2, Site 6)Gen. “Black Jack” Pershing. Assignedto Fort Bayard as 2nd Lieutenant in 1886-87.(See Tour 3, Site 20)Major Gen. Claire Chennault. Latergained fame with the Flying Tigers in China.He crashed a Ft. Bliss (TX) plane on an unau-thorized forest fishing trip in the Gila.Gerómino, Nana, Cochise, Chato,Victorio & Natchez. Area Apache leadersroamed the area. Gerómino was born near theGila Cliff Dwellings.Mangas Coloradas (Red Sleeves).Apache chief was persuaded to surrender inPinos Altos and then was killed at Ft. McLanein 1863. (See Tour 6, Site 5)Chicago White Stockings (WhiteSox). Held their spring training at FaywoodHot Springs (near Tour 6, Site 6), when the teamwas owned by A.J. Spalding (sporting goods).Stewart Granger and wife JeanSimmons. Owned the 7-L-Bar Ranch, partof today’s Ponderosa.William Goodrich (tires), GusHilton (hotels) (Conrad’s father) andMark Twain. Reported visitors atSouthern Hotel.Col. José Carrasco and DonFrancisco de Elquea were early ownersof Santa Rita mine. (See Tour 3, Site 19)Herbert Hoover. Was 1898 asst. managerof mine in Carlisle (near Arizona); MarshallField (Chicago dept. store) was there too.Astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmitt.Geologist on Apollo 17 grew up here. Lottie Deno. A well-known gambler atGeorgetown and the inspiration for Miss Kittyon Gunsmoke. (See Tour 4, Site 5)Other Names: Bronze medalist GeorgeYoung, the only American to run in fourOlympics; Ralph Kiner, Baseball Hall of Fame(Pirates/Mets); Billy Casper, Professional golfer.

OTHER FAMOUS VISITORS

Boyhood Home of Billy the Kid - Tour 1, Site 4

Photo: Alfred

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ods of time on the perennial quest for gold and silver. Mrs. Antrim, who suffered from tuber-culosis, took in boarders to support the family. (See Tour 1, Site 4)SCHOOL LIFE. Like any kid in town, Billy, then named Henry McCarty, went toschool. A classmate, Anthony Conner, remembers him:“He was very slender. He was undersized and was really girlish-looking. I don’t think he

weighed over 75 pounds. He had coal black hair and coal black eyes . . . I never remember Billydoing anything out of the way, any more than the rest of us. We had our chores to do, likewashing the dishes and other duties about the house. Billy got to be quite a reader. He wouldscarcely have his dishes washed, until he would be sprawled over somewhere reading a book.”BILLY’S MOTHER DIES. On September 16, 1874, Mrs. Antrim died of consumption(tuberculosis). The local newspaper reported simply “the funeral occurred at the family resi-dence on Main Street at 2:00 on Thursday.” Billy’s mother was buried in town; later movedto the Memory Lane Cemetery off US180, where her grave can be found (See Tour 1, Site 20). Billy got a job waiting tables at the nearby Star Hotel (See Tour 1, Site 5). Sheriff

H.H.Whitehill reminisced that the boy’s first “offense was the theft of several pounds ofbutter from a ranchman . . . which he disposed of to one of the local merchants.”FIRST ARREST. Billy’s boyhood friend, Anthony Conner, ascribed Billy’s new predilec-tion to his reading matter. “Finally he took to reading the Police Gazette and dime novels.One night he robbed a Chinese laundry. I think it was regarded by him as more of a prankthan anything else. But Sheriff Harvey Whitehill locked him up for it . . .Mr. Whitehill onlywished to scare him.”ESCAPE FROM JAIL. The sheriff ’s account agrees that putting the 15-year-old Billy injail was meant only to convince the youngster of the perils of crime. The adobe jailhouse stood on the site of today’s Forest Service warehouses on Hudson

Street. Billy complained to Whitehill of a lack of exercise, and was allowed once a day inthe jail’s corridor. Left alone 30 minutes, the slender Billy promptly climbed out the jail’schimney and escaped. (See Tour 1, Site 3)Silver City’s reaction was casual. The Grant County Herald commented briefly: “Henry

McCarty, who was arrested on Thursday and committed to jail to await the action of theGrand Jury upon charges of stealing clothes from Charley Sun and Sam Chung, celestials,sans cues, sans Joss sticks, escaped from prison yesterday through the chimney. It’s believedthat Henry was simply the tool of ‘Sombrero Jack’ who done the stealing while Henry donethe hiding. Jack has skinned out.”FIRST KILLING. In Arizona, in 1877, the waifish 17-year-old shot a blacksmith whowas bullying him in a bar. A jury found the murder “unjustifiable.” Billy fled back to NewMexico. He was befriended by Tunstall in Lincoln, and was treated as a son for the firsttime. When Tunstall was killed, Billy became embroiled in the County War, a disputebetween two parties battling for economic control of the rich county. Gunfighter andrustler, Billy went on to escape from two more jails, to meet Gov. Lew Wallace (author of“Ben Hur”) and to become something of a popular folk figure. By the age of 21, he couldbe linked to the deaths of at least 12 men. Finally on July 14, 1881, the young outlaw waskilled in a gun battle with Sheriff Pat Garrett.Garrett’s sensational “The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid,” included the tall tale that the

12-year-old Billy knifed his first man in Silver City. Garrett was carried to his grave in ahearse now displayed in the 1898 Hearst Church building in Pinos Altos, currently hometo the Grant County Art Guild. (See Tour 2, Site 2).BILLY’S BROTHER AND STEPFATHER. Billy’s brother, Joseph, stayed until in1884 he was arrested in a fracas; later became a miner and gambler of little fame. Billy’sstepfather, William Antrim, continued as fortune-seeker and served as a mine superin-tendent in Mogollón. Antrim died in California in the 1920s.

26 – SCENIC TOURS

outhwest New Mexico has a well-deserved reputation for birding. The lush riparian river valleys,scenic mountains and canyons, and the surrounding grasslands of the Gila National Forest attractabout 339 species, approximately 85% of the bird species that can be seen in New Mexico.The scenic byways of Grant County offer beautiful vistas and a variety of habitats you can visit in a leisurely day’s drive.

A morning can be spent birding along the Gila River looking for warblers and flycatchers. The afternoon can be spent inthe cool pines of Cherry Creek looking for tanagers and yes, more warblers.

Birding in Grant County has year-around rewards. In winter there are many locations that offer scenery of beautiful rock forma-tions, sandy washes and hidden springs that are a magnet for wintering birds. Spring migrations begin in mid-to-late April with aflow of migrants up the Gila River Valley. Summer offers excellent birding in the cool forested mountains, as well as the river valleys.A small sampling of the species found here include Montezuma Quail, Common Black Hawk, Red-faced Warbler, Lucy’s Warbler,

Olive Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Hepatic Tanager, Vermillion Flycatcher, Stellar’s and Pinyon Jays, Bald and Golden Eagles,American Dipper, Nuthatches, Acorn Woodpeckers, and the Juniper and Bridled Titmouse. Hummingbird species include Allen’s,Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Blue-throated, Magnificent, and Rufous.Put Grant County and the Gila National Forest on your list of birding destinations. - Jackie Blurton

SOUTHWEST BIRDING TRAIL. Southwest New Mexico was the first area of the state to develop a birding guide. Forty-onesites were selected and include a wide variety of habitats. The official Southwestern New Mexico Birding Trail maps are availablethrough area Chambers of Commerce and United States Forest Service offices, as well as local Audubon chapters. For more infor-mation on these birding sites go to: www.oldwestcountry.com and www.tmbyway.com. Follow the Sites.

339 species, approximately 85% of the bird species that can beseen in New Mexico. Over 20 Birding Areas identified. It has been

said this area is one of the top birding spots in the nation.

BIRDING DESTINATIONS IN GRANT COUNTY

WRITTEN BY JACKIE BLURTON

Big Ditch Park(Broadway Street) Apleasant place to birdwhile visiting historicdowntown SilverCity. Site B1

Lake Roberts (M22-24, NM35) Highmountain lake, excel-lent birding for waterfowl and mountainspecies. Site B4

Fort Bayard WildlifeRefuge. (M120.5,US180) Trails in therefuge offer pleasanthiking and opportuni-ties to see elk. Site B6

Gila Cliff DwellingsNat’l. Mon. (M43.7,NM15) You can birdon the half-mile walkto the Gila CliffDwellings. Site B5

Black Range(NM152) A beauti-ful variety of sceneryand places to parkand bird in the Nat’l.Forest. Site B7

Whitewater CanyonM50.5, US180) Rockwalls of this narrowcanyon make this aunique birding excur-sion. Site B11

SPhoto by Debra Sutton

HIGHLIGHTS

Photo by LeAnne Knudsen

SCENIC TOURS – 27

Map page 31We offer this guide as yourintroduction to some of thebest birding locations inGrant County. Travel timesare from Silver City. Areamaps and SW New MexicoBirding Maps are availableat the Murray Ryan VisitorCenter at 201 N. Hudson inSilver City. These locationsare keyed to the GrantCounty Recreation Map.

BIRDING IN & NEARSILVER CITYB1. Big Ditch Park Once the main street of Silver Cityin the late 1800s, this unique parkwas created by a series of floods inthe early 1900s. It’s a pleasant placeto bird in addition to visiting his-toric downtown Silver City.Location: Silver City VisitorCenter.Facilities: Restrooms at Visitor Center.Habitat: Riparian.

B2. Little Walnut Picnic AreaThis Gila National Forest picnicarea north of Silver City has well-signed trails and offers birding aswell as pleasant hiking. Location: North from Silver Cityon Little Walnut Rd.Travel time one-way: 15 min.Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables.Habitat: Ponderosa pine, piñón-juniper and oak woodlands.

B3. Cherry Creek &McMillen CampgroundsThis beautiful canyon offers excellentbirding for forest species. The camp-grounds are a mile apart and there aresigns indicating each entrance. Location: North on NM 15,milepost 11.5 and 12.5.Travel time one-way: 30 min.Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables.Habitat: Riparian/ mixed conifer.

B4. Lake RobertsThis beautiful mountain lake offersexcellent birding for waterfowl andmountain species. The State GameCommission owns Lake Robertsand a GAIN (Gain Access IntoNature) permit is required. Thisspecial permit helps wildlife and isavailable at Wal-Mart and DocCampbell’s Post near the Gila CliffDwellings. The cost is $9 for a 5-day permit or $20 annually.Location: North on NM 15 thenright on NM 35 to Lake Roberts.Travel time one-way: 1 hour 15 minutes. Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables.Habitat: Aquatic, ponderosapine, piñón-juniper and oakwoodlandsB5. Gila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentTrail 151 from the Monument pro-vides good access for birding alongthe West Fork of the Gila River.You can also bird on the half-milewalk to the Gila Cliff Dwellings.The Visitor Center has a greatselection of Native American,southwest and nature books. Location: North on NM 15, mile-post 46.Travel time one-way: 1 hour 45 minutes.Facilities: Toilets at the VisitorCenter, Cliff Dwellings EntryStation, and picnic areas; entryfee for Gila Cliff DwellingNational Monument trail. Habitat: Riparian, ponderosapine, piñón-juniper, and oakwoodlands

BIRDING EAST OFSILVER CITYB6. Fort Bayard Wildlife RefugeHistoric Ft. Bayard was a frontiercavalry fort in the late 1800s. ANational Cemetery is located here.Marked National Recreation Trailsin the refuge offer pleasant hikingand opportunities to see elk.

Location: East on Hwy 180, turnleft at light to Ft. Bayard thenfollow the signs for forest road536. The road dead ends in 3miles at the trailhead but youcan pull off at several locationsalong the way to bird. Travel time one-way: 15 min.Facilities: None Habitat: Riparian, grasslands,piñón-juniper, and oak wood-lands.

B7. Black RangeThe Black Range offers a beautifulvariety of scenery and convenientplaces to park and bird in theNational Forest campgroundsalong NM 152. These camp-grounds are Lower Gallinas, UpperGallinas, Railroad Canyon, andIron Creek.Location: East on Hwy 180 thenleft on NM 152. Travel time one-way: 1 hour.Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables.Habitat: Riparian, mixed conifer.

BIRDING WEST OFSILVER CITYB8. Mangas Springs.This small marsh along Hwy 180 isan oasis in the surrounding aridgrasslands.Location: West on Hwy 180between milepost 96 and 95 onwest side of highway. Turn westonto McMillen Road, which par-allels Hwy 180 for a half-mile.There’s a small pull off with atrashcan where you can parkand walk along the road to bird.The road intersects again withHwy 180. The sign at this junc-tion says Mangas Springs.Travel time one-way: 20 min.Facilities: None.Habitat: Marsh, cottonwoodsand willows.

B9. Gila River Bird HabitatManagement UnitThe Gila River Bird Habitat on theGila National Forest is a majormigration route.

Location: West on Hwy 180 thenleft at the Bill Evens Lake turnoff,milepost 87. In about 3.5 milesthere is a Y-intersection.Continue straight south onto thegravel road which will take youto the Gila River Bird Habitat. It’sabout 5 miles. The gravel roadwill ascend into the hills awayfrom the river for a few milesand than return to the river atthe River Vista parking area.You’ll find excellent birding asyou follow the paths throughcottonwoods and river willowsalong the river.Travel time one-way: 1 hour.Facilities: Toilet at each location.Habitat: Aquatic, riparian, anddesert foothills.

B10. Gila River Iron BridgeConservation AreaYou can bird from the beautiful ironbridge that spans the Gila River.Location: West on Hwy 180 tothe Gila River Bridge, milepost85. After crossing the Gila Rivertake an immediate left onto IronBridge Road. Go a short dis-tance farther and park at theboulders. You can see the IronBridge from here. Go throughthe gate in the fence to get tothe bridge. Travel time one-way: 45 min.Facilities: None.Habitat: Aquatic, riparian.

B11. Whitewater CanyonThe Catwalk National RecreationTrail, made up of metal walkwaysattached to rock walls with White-water Creek frothing below makethis a unique birding excursion.Publisher’s Note: New constructionon the the metal walkways and trail isscheduled to begin the summer of2015 due to 2013 floods.

Location: West on Hwy 180 toGlenwood, mile marker 50, thenturn right on NM 174.Travel time one-way: 1 hour 15 min.Facilities: Toilets and picnic areaHabitat: Riparian

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28 – SCENIC TOURS

rant County, a land of contrast and diversity, is a splendid place for hiking in allseasons. You don’t have to go far to find a trail to set your feet upon and enjoy oneof our great recreational pastimes. A few minutes walk from the road and you’ll be surrounded with soli-tude and the whisper of pines and aspens. Pool-filled canyons lead you through shady forests and sun-filled meadows. Mountain peaks will beckon you. There are trails that follow the very crest of the Black Range and the

Mogollón Mountains and offer spectacular, boundless vistas. Far below, hidden canyons of cliffs and spires where eagles andravens soar, wind their serpentine way to the far distant plains. If you have a passion to hike the backbone of the continent, the Continental Divide Trail runs right through Grant

County. Many sections of trail are new and offer outstanding day hikes.Come hiking in Grant County. You’ll marvel at this unique country. Shear volcanic cliffs tower above river corridors.

Pinnacles of rock rise from the mountainsides like dragons teeth. Hidden springs provide a focal point for wildlife and theactivities of ancient peoples and frontier miners. Grasslands and piñón/juniper woodlands skirt the mountains. Pine andaspen forests grace the peaks. Blue mountains blend into blue skies on the horizon. You won’t find trailhead parking lots crammed with cars. You will find great beauty, solitude, and wonderful trails. A large

portion of the Gila National Forest is in Grant County and has an extensive system of maintained trails. The forest includesthe 558,065-acre Gila Wilderness, and the 202,016-acre Aldo Leopold Wilderness.

“Mountain peaks will beckon you.”

Hiking in the Gila

Photo by Debra Sutton

Photo by Jackie Blurto

n

Photo by Jackie Blurto

n

Photo by Becky O’Connor

HIKING DESTINATIONS IN GRANT COUNTY

WRITTEN BY JACKIE BLURTON

Signal Peak Trail(M14, NM15) A half-day, 5-mile roundtriphike to the Signal Peaklookout tower at 9000ft. Site H2

Gila River Middle &West Fork Trails(M43.7, NM15) Outand back hikes andhave numerous rivercrossings Site H3

Little Dry Creek(M61.5, US180,Sacaton Rd.) Aleisurely 2 mile hiketo the Wildernessboundary. Site H9

Mineral Creek(M46.1, US180, 5mi. on FR701) Amountain canyon ofsteep walls and clearwater. Tour 5, Site 18

Dragonfly LoopTrail (M20.5,US180) Part of theFort Bayard trail system, with picto-graphs. Site H6

Gold Dust Trail(M47.4, US180, 3.9 mi.on NM159) Beautifulhike looks over White-water Canyon, home ofthe Catwalk. Site H11

G

Photo by Becky O’Connor

Photo by Jackie Blurto

n

Photo by Jackie Blurto

n

HIGHLIGHTS

SCENIC TOURS – 29

Map page 31Here are a few of our favoriteday hikes. Travel time to thetrailheads is from Silver City.Trail mileage is approxi-mate. Area maps are avail-able at the Murray RyanVisitor Center. Gila NationalForest and Wilderness mapsare available at the GilaNational Forest SupervisorsOffice, 3005 E. Camino DelBosque in Silver City, and atDistrict Ranger Stations.

HIKING NEARSILVER CITYH1. Little Walnut Picnic Area/Gomez Peak Trail SystemThere are well-signed loop trails.Location: North of Silver City onLittle Walnut Road Travel timeone-way: 15 minFacilities: Toilets, picnic areaVegetation: Ponderosa, piñón-juniper

HIKING NORTH OF SILVER CITYH2. Signal Peak Trail #742This is a nice half-day, 5-mileroundtrip hike to the Signal Peaklookout tower at 9000 ft.Location: North on NM 15, mile-post 14; look for the trailheadsign on the right and parkingpull-off on the leftTravel time one-way: 30 min.Facilities: NoneVegetation: Mixed conifer, oak

H3. Gila River, Middle ForkTrail #157 and West ForkTrail #151Trail #157 begins at the Gila CliffDwellings Visitor Center. Trail#151 begins at the entry station tothe Gila Cliff Dwellings. These areout and back hikes, so go as far asyou want. Both have numerousriver crossings and appropriatefootwear is recommended. I usefabric and leather boots that I don’t

mind getting wet. Don’t hike thesetrails when rivers are at flood stage. Location: North on NM 15 at theGila Cliff Dwellings MonumentTravel time one-way: 1 hr 45 minFacilities: Toilets & picnic areasEnvironment: Riparian, ponderosa

H4. Little Creek Trail #160Trail #160 climbs a ridge with greatviews of mountains and canyons. It’s4.25 miles one-way to Little Creek.You can make a 9-mile loop by hik-ing #160, #162, EE Canyon Trail#813, and West Fork Trail #151back to the Gila Cliff Dwellings.Location: On NM15, before theGila Cliff Dwellings NationalMonumentTravel time one-way: 1 hr 45 min.Facilities: ToiletVegetation: Ponderosa, piñón-juniper

H5. Little Bear CanyonTrail #729This trail takes you over a ridge andthrough the beautiful Little BearCanyon narrows to the Middle Forkof the Gila River. It’s 4.25 miles one-way. Flash floods are possible inLittle Bear during rainstorms.Location: North on NM 15,before the Gila Cliff DwellingsNational MonumentTravel time one-way: 1 hr 45 min.Facilities: ToiletVegetation: Ponderosa, piñón-juniper

HIKING EAST OF SILVER CITYH6. Fort Bayard Wildlife RefugeThe refuge is part of the GilaNational Forest and has many trailsbut few signs. A favorite destinationis a 4-mile round-trip hike to theBig Tree, a 600-year-old AlligatorJuniper. The trail is marked.Location: East on Hwy 180, leftat the light to Fort Bayard. Stayto the right at all the “Y” inter-section until you come to ForestRoad 536. Go 3 miles on thegravel road to the parking area

at the end of the road.Travel time one-way: 30 minFacilities: NoneVegetation: Ponderosa, piñón-juniperH7. Gallinas Canyon Trail#129 and Railroad CanyonTrail #128Both trails begin from the sametrailhead. At 1.5 miles the traildivides. Trail #129 switchbacks up aslope to the left and goes upGallinas Canyon 4.5 miles to thecrest of the Black Range at 9000 ft.Trail #128 continues up RailroadCanyon 3.5 miles to the crest of theBlack Range at 8800 ft. Location: East on NM 152 in theBlack Range; look for trailheadsign for #129 on the left.Travel time one-way: 50 min.Facilities: ToiletVegetation: Mixed coniferH8. Black Range CrestTrail #79Crest Trail #79 South from EmoryPass: This is a great hike along theBlack Range crest through cool pinesand aspens. It’s 4 miles one way toSawyers Peak at 9640 ft. Crest Trail#79 North from Emery Pass: Thistrail offers many exceptional vistas.An excellent day hike destination isthe 5.5-mile hike to the lookouttower on Hillsboro Peak at 10,011 ft.Location: East on NM 152 in theBlack Range at Emory PassTravel time one-way: 1 hr.Facilities: ToiletVegetation: Mixed conifer, aspen

HIKING WESTOF SILVER CITYH9. Little Dry Creek Trail #180It’s 4.5 miles to Windy Gap at 8200ft up this narrow canyon with astream and pools.Location: West on Hwy 180; turnright on Forest Road 147 about 1mile after the Aldo LeopoldHistorical Monument; go 3.5miles, then left on Forest Road 196;it’s about 4 miles to the trailhead.Travel time one-way: 1.5 hr

Facilities: NoneVegetation: Mixed conifer, aspen

H10. Holt Apache Trail #181It’s 5 miles and a 2800 ft elevationgain from the trailhead to HoltSpring at 9200 ft.Location: West on Hwy 180;look for the #181 trail sign onthe right side of the road about4 miles after the Aldo LeopoldHistorical Monument; it’s 4miles on Forest Road 146 to thetrailhead. Travel time one-way: 1 hrFacilities: NoneVegetation: Mixed conifer, aspen

H11. Gold Dust Trail #41 About 2 miles long, covering thesame stretch and distance alongWhitewater Creek as the CatwalkTrail except it is about 600 ft abovethe creek and canyon.Location: West on Hwy 180 pastGlenwood, then right on NM159(Bursum Road); go 3.9 miles toa gravel road on the right; go200 yds to the trailhead.Travel time one-way: 1.5 hrFacilities: NoneVegetation: Open, piñón-juniper

HIKING SOUTHOF SILVER CITYH12. Continental Divide TrailThis is part of the ContinentalDivide National Recreation Trail.The trail going north from the park-ing area climbs up to Jacks Peak at8000 ft. The trail going south goesthrough high desert hills and washes.Location: South on Hwy 90 onnorth side of road between mile-post 20 and 21.Travel time one-way: 20 minFacilities: NoneVegetation: High desert, piñón-juniper, oak woodlands; coniferson Jacks PeakContact the U.S. Forest Service forupdated road, trail and camp-ground information in these regionsof the Gila National Forest. SilverCity 575-388-8201; Glenwood 575-539-2481; Reserve 575-533-8029.

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30 – SCENIC TOURS

Map page 31Here are some of ourfavorite mountain and roadrides. Area maps are avail-able at the Murray RyanVisitor Center, 201 N.Hudson Street in Silver City.More information, bikegear, sales and service areavailable at the bike shopsin Silver City.

MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDESM1. Burro CDT SouthThis is a new segment of theContinental Divide Trail (CDT).Location: South from Silver Cityon NM 90 between milepost 22& 21. Turn right onto ForestRoad 282. At the end of the roadpark near the trailhead sign forJacks Peak. Across the grassyclearing to the south is a cairnand CDT marker at the trailhead. Difficulty: ModerateTravel time to trailhead: 20 min.

M2. Little Walnut PicnicArea/Gomez Peak TrailSystemA great system of trails that beginat the Little Walnut Picnic Area.Directions to Trailhead: Northof Silver City on Little Walnut Rd.Difficulty: Moderate to difficultTravel time to Trailhead: 15 min.

M3. Fort Bayard Wildlife RefugeThis is part of the Gila NationalForest and has a great system ofNational Recreation Trails. Directions to trailhead: Eastfrom Silver City on Hwy 180,between milepost 118 and 119turn left onto Arenas Valley Roadthen go 1 mile to the parking area. Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.Travel time to Trailhead:15 to 20 min.

ROAD BIKE RIDESLightly traveled roads makeGrant Co. a great place foryear-around cycling.

R1. US Highway 180 West(NM Bike Route 18)A light to moderately traveled two-laneroad with shoulders.Directions: Ride west fromSilver City on Hwy 180Terrain: Hills and valleys

R2. NM 15 to Sapillo CreekThis is a local favorite. From SilverCity to Pinos Altos, about 7 miles,the road is 2-lane with shoulders.North of Pinos Altos the roadbecomes a narrow 2-way with nolane markings or shoulders. It’s 18miles from Pinos Altos to the junc-tion with NM 35. There are severalgood turn-around points if youdon’t want to go all the way. The last3-mile descent into Sapillo Creek issteep with blind hairpin curves. Directions: Ride north fromSilver City on NM 15Terrain: Winding mountain roads

Mimbres River Valley R3,R4, R5.There are 3 ride options in theMimbres River Valley. To get to theMimbres, go east from Silver Cityon Hwy 180 then turn left ontoNM 152. It’s about 20 miles fromSilver City to the Mimbres Valley. Ifyou don’t want to ride this section,you can drive to the Mimbres Valleyand park in a gravel parking area atthe junction of NM 152 and 61 atmilepost 15 and ride from there.

R3 Upper Mimbres River ValleyNM 35 is an easy ride up the valley tothe Continental Divide between milemarker 15 and 16. Lake Roberts is 7miles further.Location: East on Hwy 180, turnleft at light to Ft Bayard then fol-

low the signs for forest road536. The road dead ends in 3miles at the trailhead but youcan pull off at several locationsalong the way to bird.Directions: Ride north from NM152 on NM 35Terrain: River valley

R4 Lower Mimbres River ValleyNM 61 is an easy ride down the valley.Directions: Ride south from NM152 on NM 61. It’s 26 miles toHwy 180Terrain: River valley

R5. Emory Pass.NM 152 continues east across thevalley and climbs 17 miles into theBlack Range to 8,000 ft. EmoryPass. The road up to the GilaNational Forest boundary is a wide2-lane then becomes a narrow 2-lanewith blind curves and some steepgrades. This is for experienced riders.Directions: Ride east on NM 152Terrain: Winding mountainroads

MOTORCYCLE TOURSIN GRANT CO.Welcome to our scenicbyways. Beautiful mountainscenery and good roadsmake Grant County a greatmotorcycling destination.

Approximate mileages and traveltimes are from Silver City. Areamaps are available at the SilverCity Grant County Visitor Center,201 N Hudson St. in Silver City.

MC1. The Gila Cliff Dwellings- Trail of the Mountain SpiritsScenic BywayMiles: 122 round trip. Travel time one-way: 1 hr 45 minGas: Silver City, the village ofMimbres, and Lake RobertsGeneral Store on NM 35.

Directions: Follow the Trail of theMountain Spirits Scenic Bywayby going east from Silver City onHwy 180 or north on NM 15MC2. The Catwalk of White-water Canyon and MogollónPeak Trail SystemMiles: 136 round trip to theCatwalk; 163 round trip toMogollón Travel time one-way: 1 hr 30min to the Catwalk; 1 hr 45 minto MogollónGas: Silver City, Cliff andGlenwood Directions to the Catwalk:West from Silver City on Hwy.180; in Glenwood turn rightonto NM 174Directions to Mogollón: If youwant to visit the old miningtown of Mogollón continuenorth from Glenwood 3 milesand turn right onto NM 159. It’s9 miles up a very narrow wind-ing mountain road with blindcurves and no guardrails.Mogollón has well preservedbuildings from the late 1800s.Terrain: Valleys and windingmountain roadsPublisher’s Note: Road construction inthe village of Mogollón and beyond toWillow Creek will begin in 2014.Contact the Gila National Forest at 575-388-8201 or Glenwood RangerDist., 575-539-2481 for road conditions.MC3. Emory Pass andHillsboroMiles: 74 round trip to EmoryPass; 116 round trip toHillsboro Travel time one-way: 1 hr toEmory Pass; 1 hr 45 min toHillsboroGas: Silver City, HillsboroDirections to Emory Pass: Goeast from Silver City on Hwy180, then turn left onto NM 152Directions to Hillsboro: FromEmory Pass continue down theeast side of the Black Range tovisit the town of HillsboroTerrain: Winding mountainroads

BIKING & CYCLING DESTINATIONS IN GRANT COUNTY

WRITTEN BY JACKIE BLURTON

Biking in Silver City

Grant Count has some of the best year-around bicycling.

SCENIC TOURS – 31

Birding Destinations B1-B11 page 27Hiking Destinations H1-H12 page 29Mountain Biking Destinations M1-M4 page 30Road Cycling Destinations R1-R5 page 30Motorcycling Destinations MC1-MC3 page 30

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